Jackson Bird is hopeful his love affair with the MCG can be extended to a Boxing Day call-up against Sri Lanka.
Bird, the leading Sheffield Shield wicket-taker for the past two seasons, has taken a remarkable 87 first-class wickets at just 19.72 in just 17 matches.
The Tasmanian's record does not dip once he steps onto the MCG either, with the 26-year-old earning match figures of 10 for 96 against Victoria in November last year.
And it is that imposing record which he believes is behind his call-up to the 13-man Australia squad - and which he hopes could earn him a debut baggy green ahead of left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson.
"The MCG's a great place to play. There's always a little bit in the wicket for the fast bowlers," Bird told reporters on Wednesday.
"I definitely do enjoy playing here. First of all it's an amazing place in terms of how many people can fit in here. There's a lot of history behind it.
"The wicket is generally pretty good. The wickets we've played on here in Shield cricket, generally if you put the ball in the right areas enough and you hit the wicket and present the seam you'll get enough out of it.
"It's a good contest between bat and ball."
Following the heroic efforts of Peter Siddle, man of the match in the first Test victory at Bellerive, and the strong second innings showing from Mitchell Starc (5 for 63), Bird appears to be in a two-man battle with Johnson to replace Ben Hilfenhaus (side strain).
With there being no like-for-like replacement for Hilfenhaus, Bird believes it could come down to whether or not selectors are willing to line up with two left-armers - Johnson and Starc - in the same attack.
"Ben's more of a swing bowler whereas I tend to hit the wicket a bit more," he said.
"It depends on what the selectors want to do, in terms of playing two left armers or one left-armer.
"I guess it will be the best 11 players on the day. If I get that chance hopefully I can repay the faith that the selectors have shown in me.
"I certainly don't bowl as fast at Mitchell Johnson does. Mitchell is a great bowler.
"Whoever gets the nod between me and him will do a great job."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, tas, sri-lanka First posted December 19, 2012 12:41:34
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