Bird, 26, is in the running to play his third Test and first Ashes appearance as one of the Aussies’ three specialist quicks starting tomorrow in Durham.
His Test career so far is glittering after the Tasmanian took 11 wickets at 16.18 in his two matches against Sri Lanka.
While Agar shone as a batsman hitting 98 from number 11 on debut at Trent Bridge, he didn’t penetrate as a bowler, the job he was picked to do.
It’s tipped Australian selectors will consider giving Ryan Harris a rest, despite him being one of the best for them in the past two games.
He would almost certainly return for the fifth Test at the Oval.
For the first time in the series, Australia’s batting line-up will be unchanged – unless Shane Watson is moved down the order in favour of David Warner, who batted at six and opened at Old Trafford.
Image via Getty