Hampshire hoping Jackson Bird has big impact on county cricket

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White is confident new signing Jackson Bird can have a major impact on the County Championship this season.

The Australian fast bowler will lead the Hampshire attack this season and comes to England with a reputation for accuracy, swing and seam rather than express pace.

He took 13 wickets in three Tests for Australia, the last of which was the Boxing Day Test at the MCG against Sri Lanka in 2012, though injuries have often prevented him from adding to his international appearances.

Hampshire will need him to have a big impact. Matt Coles, one of the mainstays of last season’s attack, has returned to Kent, and while James Tomlinson remains a reliable county bowler, the fast bowling options look a little thin.

White told Sky Sports News HQ: “Jackson arrived a few days ago. He comes with a very good reputation. We think he’ll bowl well in these conditions, early season.

“He’s shaped up well so far. We’re hoping he hits his straps early on and causes some problems. He’ll be part of an attack that we hope gets us those wickets that we need in Division One…the batting is strong.”

Bird is hoping some big performances at the Ageas Bowl will be noticed by his national selectors. Australia are in England this summer for the Ashes, and if they suffer any injuries Bird is potentially well placed to win a call-up.

Bird said: "Fast bowlers are susceptible to injury. You never want to see anyone go down but if they do, hopefully I can put my hand up by putting in a few good performances for Hampshire.

"I've been injured on and off for the past 18 months but I finished off our season pretty well and the selectors know what I can do. I've had a bit of success in the few Tests I've played. 

"I try and keep things pretty simple really. I just try and hit the same area over and over again and hopefully get a little extra bounce and a little bit of sideways movement. I'm not going to change too much what I do back home." 

Hampshire have been hugely successful in limited-overs cricket in the last few years, but disappointing in the Championship - until that is, last season.

They returned to the top flight as Division Two champions, and White insists they are not there to make up the numbers.

“We want to win every competition,” he said. “That’s what you set out to do as a club. As the season unravels you tend to go in one direction or the other. We’ve had success in one-day competitions over the last few years but we’re very keen to continue our form in four-day cricket

“We haven’t been in Division One for a while now. It’s a good challenge and I think the challenge is obviously better than Division Two and we’re looking forward to it.

“We've had a good pre-season in Barbados. Since we’ve been back the weather has been fine and the batsmen have had time in the middle and the bowlers have got some overs in their legs. So we feel prepared, in good form and ready to go.”

2015 could be a big year for James Vince, Hampshire’s newly-appointed one-day captain. Many pundits believe Vince should be part of England’s one-day plans this summer.

“Absolutely,” agrees White. “We’ve seen over the last couple of years down here how good a player he is. He’s been good in all forms of the game, not just one-day cricket. I think, if selected, he won’t let anyone down. “