Lancashire sign Australian Test bowler Jackson Bird

Australian Test paceman Jackson Bird has signed up to play six County Championship games for Lancashire

The 34-year-old will bolster the fast-bowling ranks at Emirates Old Trafford for six matches.

Bird will first be available for the third Red Rose four-day fixture of the campaign against Kent in Canterbury, starting on 22 April.

He is set to take the place of Blackpool seamer Richard Gleeson, who will miss the early part of the season with a back injury.

Bird has taken 34 wickets in nines Tests and boasts an impressive first-class record of 401 wickets, taken at an average of just 24.

He has enjoyed a fine season in the Sheffield Shield with Tasmania, taking 22 wickets (average 26) from six matches so far.

Born in New South Wales, Bird has previous County Championship experience with Hampshire and Nottinghamshire.

He last featured for Australia in the Boxing Day Test of 2017 against England in Melbourne.

Bird, who also represents Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, said: “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to come over and play for Lancashire.

“I’ve felt in good form during this year’s Sheffield Shield and hope I can continue this into the English summer and help the Club in the LV= County Championship.

“I feel I have unfinished business in English county cricket and I am looking forward to showing my best to my new teammates and the members and supporters at Emirates Old Trafford.”

Director of Cricket Paul Allott commented: “Jackson’s skills bowling with the new ball and his vast experience will complement our current pace attack nicely.

“Following Graham Onions’ retirement at the end of last season, it was important that we were able to add depth to our quick bowling ranks and help to replace his on-field leadership of the attack.

"Richard Gleeson will be unavailable due to a back injury for the first part of the season, so Jackson will give us another option for those six four-day fixtures."

“Jackson’s accuracy and ability to swing the ball means that he is an incredibly useful asset to have in English bowling conditions and I am looking forward to seeing him in action for Lancashire this summer.”