Bird flies north to Sydney again for the BBL

Sydney Sixers have signed fast bowler Jackson Bird for a second stint at the BBL club after helping the Melbourne Stars to the final last season.

Bird, 32, who has played nine Tests for Australia and was part of Australia A's tour of England this winter, has alternated between the Stars and Sixers across all nine seasons of the BBL.

He was with the Stars in the first four seasons of the BBL before joining the Sixers in BBL 05. He is originally from Sydney but plays his first-class cricket in Tasmania. He played three seasons with the Sixers but was starved of opportunities in BBL 07 playing just one game and was coaxed back to the Stars last year. He had an excellent season in Melbourne despite only playing nine games. He took seven wickets at economy rate of just 6.70 including two key wickets in the thrilling final.

But with the Stars signing Australia ODI and T20 fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile, the Sixers saw the opportunity to bolster their fast bowling stocks ahead of a season where the schedule will be far more compacted and the fast bowlers may need to be rested and rotated.

"With this season's tightened schedule, quick turnarounds and multiple flights across the country, the depth and durability of your attack will surely be tested," Sixers coach Greg Shipperd said. "So the addition of a player like Jackson is timely and welcomed."

"Jackson continues to be one of Australia's very best and respected all form bowlers and we know he will play an integral role in our chase for a title.

"Jackson's skill with the new ball and experience will complement our emerging young pace attack in a format that demands flexible and multiple role playing."

Bird said he was keen to head back to Sydney and contribute more meaningfully than he did in his previous three seasons there.

"I am really excited about coming back to the Sixers," Bird said. "I've had three years at the Sixers in the past and didn't play well so I want to come back and really contribute. Getting back with the guys I have played with before and returning to the SCG is awesome and I am grateful for the opportunity."

The Sixers made it to the semi-final last season only to be beaten in a nail-biter by the eventual champions Melbourne Renegades.