Australia pace bowler Jackson Bird will play for Northamptonshire next season, the English county side announced on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who has played three Test matches, had to withdraw from the Ashes series in England earlier this year with a suspected stress fracture of the back.

The injury was not as grave as initially feared, but he is yet to play competitive cricket since.

Bird has taken 109 first-class wickets at an average of 20.77 and will be available to play in 10 County Championship matches and seven domestic Twenty20 fixtures.

“The signing of Bird alongside Maurice (Chambers) and Graeme (White) will see the completion of the clubs’ recruitment policy for next season,” said Northamptonshire chief executive David Smith.