Kent Cricket have announced that Australian international seamer Jackson Bird will join the Club for up to six LV= Insurance County Championship matches in the early part of the 2022 season.

Playing his domestic cricket for Tasmania, the right-armer was the highest wicket-taking seam bowler in the 2020/2021 Sheffield Shield, Australia’s premier domestic first-class competition, with 35 wickets at an average of 22.20.

His performances for his state earned him the Ricky Ponting Medal from his teammates for his efforts across both red and white-ball cricket last season.

Overall in first-class cricket, Bird has 419 wickets in 100 matches at 24.21, with an economy rate of 2.96. 

He has experience of County Championship cricket, following spells with Hampshire and Nottinghamshire in his career. Injury curtailed chances of him joining up with Lancashire during 2021. It is expected that he will join up with Kent following the end of Tasmania’s run in this season’s Sheffield Shield.

On joining Kent, Bird said: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play County Championship cricket again.

“There is a talented bowling attack at Kent and I’m looking forward to the challenges that come with that, and helping my new teammates get points on the board at the start of the season.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: “We’re delighted that Jackson will be joining us for the early matches of this year’s County Championship.

“He is an experienced bowler who will strengthen our squad as we begin our Championship campaign. He is a proven wicket-taker who will also be a great mentor for our young seamers, and we look forward to welcoming him to Canterbury.”