Bird cleared for South Africa tour

Fast bowler Jackson Bird has been cleared to join Australia on their Test tour of South Africa after he was earlier in doubt due to a back injury.

Bird and Shaun Marsh were the two players held back from flying to South Africa with the rest of the squad due to fitness issues, and it was widely expected that Bird would join the group, while Marsh remains in doubt due to his calf problem.

Bird jarred his back while fielding for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL and missed a Futures League match in an effort to recover and join the squad in South Africa.

Bird and the allrounder Moises Henriques, who played the first Twenty20 against England, will fly out on Friday to join the rest of the touring party ahead of next week's tour game in Potchefstroom.

Although it is unlikely that Bird will be able to force his way into the side for the first Test in Centurion, he may add to his three Test caps if injury strikes any of Australia's first-choice fast men on the tour.