Jackson Bird declared fit to join Australian Test squad in South Africa

Sydney: Jan 30, 2014

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Australian fast bowler Jackson Bird was Thursday declared fit and will fly out to join the rest of the squad in South Africa after being cleared of a back injury.

The Tasmanian jarred his back in a domestic Big Bash League game last week and has been undergoing treatment since.

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He was put through his paces in the nets in Hobart on Wednesday under the watch of Australian coach Darren Lehmann and national selection panel member Rod Marsh, Cricket Australia (CA) said on its website.

He passed with flying colours and will fly to South Africa on Friday alongside Moises Henriques, who is replacing injured all-rounder James Faulkner.

But doubts remain over batsman Shaun Marsh who is struggling with a calf strain, with Phil Hughes on standby if he fails to recover.

The rest of Australia’s 15-man squad departed for South Africa on Wednesday ahead of their only warm-up match starting on February 5 in Potchefstroom.

They then play three Tests, with the first in Centurion on February 12.