Veteran seamer Bird suffers another injury setback

Former Test quick Jackson Bird has suffered another injury setback that has forced him out of this weekend's County Championship Division One fixture.

The 35-year-old seamer picked up a shoulder injury while playing for Kent in last weekend's innings and 51-run defeat to Hampshire.

The nine-Test veteran was the last batter dismissed in the loss and didn't take a wicket during his 11 overs that cost 58 runs as Hampshire racked up 6(dec)-652 in their first innings.

Bird collected 3-85 and made 53 not out in the first match of the English summer earlier this month but hasn't taken a wicket since.

Kent said Bird would not be available for selection against Yorkshire at Headingley on Thursday while the extent of his injury was established.

Image Id: 58B55F51910C4DB0AC55CEA2C3997EA7 Image Caption: Jackson Bird bowls for Kent against Lancashire on April 14 // Getty

It comes after the right-armer missed the first half of both the Australian summer and the Big Bash with an Achilles injury picked up on the eve of what was supposed to be Tasmania's first game of the season last September.

"It's been probably the most frustrating period of my career to hurt my Achilles a couple of months ago, and then have a couple of little setbacks along the way just trying to get fit to play Sheffield Shield cricket and then hurt my leg again (at the start of November)," Bird told cricket.com.au ahead of his return for the Sydney Sixers on January 1 this year.

"The good thing that's come out of (the Achilles injury) is I probably know where I'm at in my career.

"I could have quite easily not enjoyed doing the rehab and I could have cut some corners here and there, but I really miss playing so it probably just shows that I'm still keen to keep getting better and keep trying to play some cricket."

Kent's next match against Surrey doesn't begin until May 12, which gives Bird 20 days from his last delivery to regain his fitness.

Meanwhile, former South Australian swing bowler Daniel Worrall will make his debut as an Englishman if picked for Surrey in their clash with Marcus Harris' Gloucestershire in Bristol on Thursday night Australian time.

Worrall, who holds a British passport due to his heritage with an English father and Irish mother, signed a three-year deal with Surrey as a domestic player, meaning he will no longer play for South Australia.

The 30-year-old hasn't played since December 31 – the last of his five KFC BBL games of the summer – and arrived in the UK recently following the birth of his first child with partner Hayley in February, a daughter, Florence.

Nathan McAndrew is also in line to play his first game of the County season for Warwickshire against a Somerset side set to feature Peter Siddle and Matthew Renshaw after his UK arrival was delayed, meaning he missed their 10-wicket victory against Essex last weekend.

"Nathan will come into the squad at Taunton. He has been bowling back in Australia and it’s great that he’s here now and ready to go if he is needed on Thursday," Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes said.

Other Aussies in action from tonight include Queenslanders Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser for Glamorgan against Derbyshire, Peter Handscomb will captain Middlesex at Lord's against Leicestershire, Mark Steketee faces off against Western Australian seamer Matt Kelly when Essex play Northants at Chelmsford, while James Pattinson will turn out for Notts against Worcestershire.

Australians in 2022 County Championship

Essex: Mark Steketee

Glamorgan: Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser

Gloucestershire: Marcus Harris

Kent: Jackson Bird

Middlesex: Peter Handscomb

Northamptonshire: Matt Kelly

Nottinghamshire: James Pattinson

Somerset: Matt Renshaw, Peter Siddle

Sussex: Josh Philippe

Warwickshire: Nathan McAndrew

Get the full rundown of Australians playing county cricket in 2022