Tigers selectors to make call on strike bowlers Jackson Bird and Riley Meredith for Shield clash

Walk up starters Jackson Bird and Riley Meredith are set to cause state selectors some headaches for the must win Shield match against NSW if they can overcome niggles

Jackson Bird of Australia A bowls during day four of the cricket tour match between Australia A and the England Lions at the MCG in Melbourne, Tuesday, February 25, 2020. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour)

TIGERS spearheads Jackson Bird and Riley Meredith will need to prove their fitness at training today before being cleared to join the squad for tomorrow’s crunch Sheffield Shield clash against NSW.

Bird has picked up a foot infection after representing Australia A against the touring England Lions last week, while Meredith is pressing his claims to return to domestic action for the first time since breaking down with a side strain during the Big Bash.

Bird celebrates a wicket during the England Lions Tour of Australia tour match between England Lions and Australia A Men at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, February 22, 2020. (AAP Image/Rob Prezioso)

Meredith, who has not played at the top level since January 5, has bowled for CTPL side Clarence in the past fortnight but illness has struck on the eve of his return to the Tasmanian set-up.

Should both players be passed fit, selectors face a tough decision on who to leave out from the starting XI which defeated Western Australia to keep its slim hopes of reaching the final alive.

“Obviously after a good win there is no real need theoretically to make changes but Jackson Bird is a class bowler and if he is right to go and ready he would automatically walk into any first class team around the country,” coach Jeff Vaughan said.

“He [Meredith] has been bowling the last few weeks just depends on how he is after a bit of a blowout. He had a little bit of illness yesterday.

Riley Meredith lets rip during the Big Bash (AAP Image/Rob Blakers)

“He is unique in Australian cricket, he is one of the fastest in the country so he is certainly the type of bowler who can have an immediate impact on a game of cricket just through sheer pace.

“They are two very important components of our team and bowling attack, it is a nice issue to have from a selection component.”

It would be a tough call on who to omit from the bowling unit which impressed against the Warriors, with Sam Rainbird taking five wickets in the first innings, Nathan Ellis starring on debut with a six wicket haul in the second and Gabe Bell picking up crucial scalps.

All rounder Simon Milenko could be forced to make way while Bell would be appear to be the unlucky front line seamer to go.

The Tigers currently sit last on the Shield table nine points adrift of second placed Queensland, and need to win their remaining two matches and hope results fall their way to reach the decider.

The Blues are locked in to top spot after picking up six outright victories from their first eight matches.