In news that will excite all cricket fans in Tasmania, one of Tasmania’s favourite sons, Jackson Bird, is returning to play for the Tasmanian Tigers during the 2025-26 season.
After moving to NSW at the start of the 2023-24 season, following a 13-season stint in Tasmania, Bird is looking forward to returning to play for Tasmania again.
“Two years ago, I probably didn’t think I would get the opportunity to play for Tassie again.
“I am really grateful to be able to come back here, and finish my career with Tassie after spending so many years here,” said Bird.
With 78 matches, 350 wickets, and more than 17 five-wicket hauls, Bird’s Tasmanian career might have looked over after he left at the end of the 2022-23 season, but his experience will play a vital role in Tigers set up next season.
Debuting for Tasmania in the 2011-12 season, after moving from his home state of Sydney, Bird immediately made an impact, taking 53 wickets in his first season as Tasmania lost the Shield Final to Queensland.
Following his first-class debut, Bird would debut against Sri Lanka in the Boxing Day test only 12 months after his first Shield appearance, playing 9 test matches for Australia from 2012 to 2017 and taking 34 wickets.
Returning to play for his home state of NSW at the age of 35, Bird would continue to take wickets in the Sheffield Shield, taking 58 wickets in 15 matches across his two seasons in blue, before deciding to move back to his adopted home of Tasmania.
Bird, running down the hill from the Members end of Ninja Stadium, is an iconic sight.
Having passed the iconic 400 wicket mark last season while playing for NSW, Bird sits fifth overall in total wickets taken with 105 wickets needed to pass the all-time leader Clarrie Grimmett on 513.
Cricket Tasmania High Performance General Manager, Salliann Beams, is delighted to have Bird back on the Tasmanian playing list next summer.
“I’m so pleased we’ve been able to find a role for Jackson that has been mutually beneficial.
“His talent and bowling expertise around our group once again should excite all of Tasmanian cricket.
“Our bowling stocks were tested last season through injury, and the experience of Jackson will give us another reliable option in a bowling line up, while being able to provide his mentorship to a bowling group that has an excitng future
“I am happy that he will be back playing for Tasmania and look forward to seeing him add to his 350 Tasmanian Shield wickets he already has in his locker next season,” said Beams.
Joining Marcus Bean as a new signing for Tasmania, Bird joins former teammate Riley Meredith to pen a new deal for Tasmania ahead of the 2025-26 season.