Bird is the word as Starc falters

Seamer firms to play at the MCG

AFTER 12 months as Australia’s perennial 12th man, Jackson Bird is in line for a return to Test cricket at the MCG on Boxing Day.

Mitchell Starc has a bruised heel and his workloads were limited yesterday at the WACA Ground.

The fitness of the left-arm spearhead, who is yet to have scans on the injury, will be assessed now the Ashes have been regained.

It’s understood the hard Perth pitch and run-ups led to the injury.

Waiting in the wings is Bird, who this year toured India and Bangladesh without getting a game.

In India, Australia called in Pat Cummins to replace the injured Starc after two Tests.

In Bangladesh, selectors flew in spinner Steve O’Keefe for the second Test to replace Josh Hazlewood, who had broken down with a side strain.

It meant selectors went with Cummins as the only quick, leaving Bird mixing drinks.

Bird was never a legitimate chance to play in the first three Ashes Tests.

The big three — Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood — were preferred, and Chadd Sayers was the obvious shadow for the Adelaide Oval Test.

Starc’s injury means Bird has finally entered the frame.

Australia decided against releasing him to his Big Bash League team and he will remain with the squad in the lead-up for Boxing Day.

If Starc doesn’t pull up well during the week, selectors will go with the consistent Tasmanian seamer.

Bird averages 27 with the ball in Tests and has taken 20 wickets in his past four.

The first and last of Bird’s eight Test matches have been at the MCG.

Starc is a crucial component in Australia’s attack and to lose him would be an enormous blow.

The extent of his injury is not yet known and Australian medical staff won’t get a chance to assess him until after the Test.

Australia has a huge amount of cricket ahead with a tour of South Africa to follow the Ashes.

Starc has been overworked in the past and Australian selectors would be determined not to risk him breaking down because of huge demands.