Jackson Bird completes 400 Sheffield Shield wickets: Key stats
What's the story
New South Wales' Jackson Bird has entered the elite club of bowlers with 400 Sheffield Shield wickets.
The landmark achievement came in a match where NSW registered a vital win over Victoria.
Bird's brilliant bowling of 5/68 on the third day, was instrumental in the victory and has placed NSW in a commanding position for the final.
Thanks to Bird's efforts, Victoria were folded for 154, while chasing 230. Here's more.
Match highlights
Bird's performance overshadows Boland's 10-wicket haul
Despite Scott Boland's phenomenal figures of 6/46 and match total of 10/102, Victoria faltered in their fourth-innings chase.
As mentioned, the team were bundled out for a mere 154 runs while chasing a target of 230.
Meanwhile, a late onslaught from Todd Murphy, who scored a quickfire 40 off 32 balls, reduced the deficit slightly but was not enough to avert NSW's victory.
Milestone
Bird joins elite 400-wicket club in Sheffield Shield
Bird's dismissal of Marcus Harris in the final innings was his 400th wicket, putting him on the elite list with Michael Kasprowicz, Andy Bichel, Jo Angel, and Clarrie Grimmett.
"It probably means I've been around a long time," Bird said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo when asked about his milestone.
He added while it's nice to achieve personal milestones, a team win like this one makes it even more special.
400+ wickets
List of bowlers with 400+ Sheffield Shield wickets
Only five bowlers have crossed the 400-wicket mark in Sheffield Shield, with Bird becoming the fifth bowler to do so.
Clarence Grimmett owns the most scalps (513) across 146 innings at 25.29.
He is followed by Michael Kasprowicz with 441 wickets at 24.56 (187 innings). Andrew Bichel stands third with 430 wickets (167 innings) at 23.24.
Jo Angel and Bird round out the list with 419 and 404 scalps respectively. Angle averages 24.86, while Bird averages 21.92.
Career outlook
Bird's future in cricket and Sheffield Shield aspirations
At 38, Bird is weighing his cricket future and will decide post-season.
"I'm just taking it game by game at the moment," he said when asked about his future in the game.
His goal remains winning a Sheffield Shield title, "The goal of mine now is to win a Sheffield Shield. I've never won a Sheffield Shield, so that's more important to me at the moment and it's what's driving me to keep playing at my age."
Match impact
Bird's bowling prowess decimates Victoria's top order
Victoria's top five batsmen didn't even touch double digits, leaving them at a precarious 31/5 in the 13th over.
Bird was the architect of the collapse, dismissing Marcus Harris (06) Thomas Rogers (01), and Harry Dixon (04), and forcing Peter Handscomb (03) to fend off a rising delivery.
He returned later to claim his fifth wicket by sending back tailender Fergus O'Neill (10), and finishing the game with a season total of 30 wickets at an average of 13.96.
Boland
Bird's milestone overshadows Boland's 10-fer
As mentioned, Boland had an impressive outing recording a 10-wicket haul in the match.
Meanwhile, he managed four wickets, (4/56) in the first innings and returned with figures of 6/46 in the second innings.
Boland has raced to 415 FC scalps (111 FC matches) averaging 23.42. In 203 innings he boasts two ten-wicket hauls, 11 five-wicket-hauls and 25 four-wicket hauls.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Bird now has 509 scalps (127 matches, 232 innings), averaging 24.53 (10W: 6, 5W 20:, 4W: 28).
Tournament
Bird and Boland's figures in the ongoing season
As mentioned, with his recent eight-wicket haul against Victoria, Bird now owns 30 wickets across five matches at 13.96.
He is also currently the third-highest wicket-taker. Bird boasts two five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul alongside the best inning figures of 7/46.
Meanwhile, Boland's 10-fer takes him to 13 scalps in two matches at 15.84. He owns one four and five-wicket haul each, including the best innings of 6/46.
Twitter Post
Twitter Post
4⃣0⃣0⃣
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 20, 2025
Jackson Bird, what a player! 👏 #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/XsohKPQyZE