Jackson Bird to return to Sydney Sixers to boost title chances

Australian Test bowler Jackson Bird has signed on to return to the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, determined to deliver a first title for the franchise since the competition’s inaugural season.

• Starc makes his case for Test recall
• Ghosts of ‘81 won’t haunt Australia
• Archer: Aussies ‘panicked’ at Leeds
• A classic Ashes series? Best still to come

Jackson Bird is coming home to roost.

The Test fast bowler has signed a contract to return to the Sydney Sixers and is motivated by unfinished business.

Bird looks back on his last stint with the Sixers as his worst three years in the BBL and is determined to help lead the BBL glamour club back to the title which has so far eluded him after eight years in the competition.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Born and bred in Manly, Bird, 32, took flight from NSW as a young man to break into first-class cricket in Tasmania and hasn’t looked back.

Jackson Bird narrowly missed out on the current Ashes squad after an impressive domestic season.

Last year he played BBL for the Melbourne Stars.

But with a baby Bird on the way in October, one of Australian cricket’s most reliable performers is relishing the chance to be home.

“I’ve still obviously got my family and all my friends in Sydney as well. I’m coming towards the end of my career,” said Bird.

Bird’s Melbourne Stars made last year’s BBL final but were edged out by city rival Renegades.

“It’s probably a good opportunity to play in front of those guys again. I don’t know how long that’s going to last for.

“I’ve got a kid on the way, so it’ll be good for my partner and myself to go up to Sydney and spend a bit of time with my family with the new born. It’ll be good in that respect.”

Bird only just missed Australia’s Ashes squad, squeezed out by Peter Siddle by the barest of margins.

It shows Bird is not yet done as a Test cricketer, but he is determined to deliver for the Sixers as a top priority.

Bird played for his home town Sydney Sixers from 2015 to 2018.

“I kept in close contact with Shippy (Sixers coach, Greg Shipperd) and lucky enough there’s a spot that’s opened up for me and I’m really excited about going back to the Sixers,” he said.

“The three years I had there weren’t my best years at all really in T20, they were probably my worst three seasons I had.

“To be honest, I was probably focusing more on trying to play Test cricket at the time. I was in and out of the team at the time so Big Bash probably took a back seat which is not the right frame of mind to be in.

LISTEN UP: Third Test review podcast

What the hell just actually happened? With Ben Horne and Andrew Menczel

Stream above now or search ‘Cricket Unfiltered’ on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from, and subscribe today!

“I’m really grateful that Shippy has given me another opportunity and I can repay the faith that he’s shown in me. This’ll be my eighth season in BBL and it’ll be good to get back to do a bit of work with Shippy.

“We made the final in my second year there at the Sixers. We didn’t quite get over the line but I think they’ve got a pretty exciting squad.

“They were really close to making the final last year. Five or six bad overs at the end of the semi-finals which cost them a spot in the final.

“They have all bases covered in terms of batting, bowling … it’s a pretty exciting squad to be a part of.”