Bird joins Nottinghamshire as Siddle replacement

Nottinghamshire have signed Jackson Bird, the Australia fast bowler, as a replacement for Peter Siddle who faces an extended period on the sidelines after being diagnosed with stress fractures of the back.

Bird, who returned to the Test team in the recent series against New Zealand and claimed 5 for 59 in the second Test, will be available for the first 10 County Championship matches.

He is unlikely to play white-ball cricket with Nottinghamshire extending the remit of Dan Christian, who had already been signed for the T20 Blast, to also appear in the Royal London Cup.

Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, said: "Having a bowler of international quality to spearhead our young seam attack is important for us, so we knew what type of player we wanted to go for.

"After Peter got injured, Jackson is the man Australia turned to. He performed very well in that Test match, he's a similar bowler to Peter in many ways and he was the obvious choice for us in the circumstances.

"Jackson is also very suitable for English conditions, particularly the types of pitches we play on at Trent Bridge."

Newell is excited about the battle for pace-bowling slots that Nottinghamshire will have early in the season with Stuart Broad likely to be available for a run of matches having not been selected for the World T20.

"Pairing him with Stuart Broad early in the season, with real competition for the other two places, is an exciting combination for us," Newell said.

Bird played one Test on the 2013 Ashes tour - at Chester-le-Street - and also appeared for Hampshire during the 2015 season.

"Notts are a really good club and I have heard a lot about them from fellow Australians who have been there before, such as Ed Cowan and Peter Siddle," Bird said. "Trent Bridge is a famous English venue and I heard plenty about it when I was living with Andre Adams last year.

"I can't wait to get over there, get to know the lads and to play my home games at the ground. My general style is to trouble the batsmen and get them playing at balls they shouldn't. The surfaces in England and at Trent Bridge should suit the way I bowl, so I can't wait to get started."