Bird shortens his County Ground commitment

The Australian had originally agreed to come to the County Ground for a period that spanned 10 County Championship and as many Natwest t20 Blast games.

But a reconsideration has seen him agree to play six four-day and four 20-over fixtures with his spell at the club now due to end after the visit of Yorkshire at the start of June.

It is a far from ideal situation for the club who had banked on Bird to provide their attack with a spearhead for a significant part of the campaign but chief executive David Smith said it is a hazard of dealing in the overseas player market in this day and age.

“We have to be realistic and while we’re disappointed it won’t be for the 10 games we had agreed, we’re still getting a high-class bowler for six matches,” he said.

“Both Jackson and Cricket Australia want to manage his workload and he has missed a considerable period of cricket through injury recently.

“We just have to accept, whether we like it or not, that overseas players now want to come for short spells.”