The Ashes 2013: Jackson Bird likely to replace injury-prone Ryan Harris for 4th Test

Jackson Bird is poised to play the fourth Ashes Test

Australian pace bowler Jackson Bird is just one step away from making his Ashes Test debut in the fourth Test on Friday at Chester-le-Street after being named in the 12 member squad.

Bird’s spot in the playing eleven rests on the decision of the selectors who are facing a serious issue on whether or not to play the injury-prone Ryan Harris in the fourth Test commencing on Friday.

Harris only once has played in three consecutive Tests and even on that occasion had broken down in the Boxing Day Ashes Test of 2010-11 due to a serious ankle injury. The 33-year old has had his fair share of injuries including a shoulder surgery last year and a chronic knee injury during his brief Test career.

The right-arm fast bowler had faced a situation similar to the stomach complaint at the Old Trafford Test last year in the West Indies where he was made to sit out for the fourth Test following general fatigue and a stomach ailment during the three day break between the Barbados and Trinidad Tests after taking five wickets in 37.4 overs and scoring a half-century.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, coach Darren Lehmann said: “I think he’s a reasonable chance now he hasn’t bowled today. If he’d bowled [more] today I wouldn’t think he would be a chance at all. We’ll just have to see how he pulls up … and see how he goes at training.”

Irrelevant of whether Harris plays or not, the selectors have an option of playing Bird instead of speedster Mitchell Starc who has taken just 8 wickets in three matches without ever having made his presence felt at critical moments.

With Shane Watson being moved to the fourth position and David Warner made to open the batting, the selectors would be keen to play the same side after Australia’s strong show in Manchester with Bird being the only inclusion for the fourth Test at Durham.