The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
22 February 2004
Home
Archive
Subscribe
Links
Contact
A melting pot of faith
Jobs plan may hurt disabled
Theology of Body
First PNG Michaelites
Census data
‘Quiet revolution in our school buildings’
‘Outstanding’ approach to teaching
Cardinal will launch Project Compassion
Pregnant pause: First all-night ‘wake up’ call of baby acrobatics
Human rights
Alternative to IVF
Young take steps on interfaith road
Questions to shape choice of next Pope
Editorial: Value for money
Letters: Confession
Conversation: Fr Con Keogh, honoured for helping people rehabilitate themselves - ‘Insane’ priest who draws others to God
Easter – a renewal of life
Pancakes for peace
Catholic schools build for the future
St Joseph’s – a happy partnership where ‘everyone is bubbling over’
‘Getting value for their money’
Shot fanned flames of fear
Knocked out by Marists
Obituary: Capuchin Fr Ted gave up farming and shearing for a ‘late’ vocation
Obituary: Fr Colin, Renaissance man
... mud, sweat and gears? Crazy!
Riverview’s ‘Big Bird’
Riverview’s ‘Big Bird’
PACE: Fast bowler Jackson is a handful for any batsman
By Damir Govorcin
Fast bowler Jackson Bird doesn’t hide the fact that he loves to dish out some “sweet chin music” to opposition batsmen.
“I love getting up batsmen and shaking them up by bowling a few short ones into their rib cage,” he says.
“I have hit a few batsmen on the helmet, which is all part of the game.
“I don’t go out to deliberately hurt anyone, but as a fast bowler it’s your job to assert your authority.”
Standing at 196cm (6ft 5in) and bowling around 130 km/h (about 80mph), the 17-year-old is a handful for any batsman.
Jackson, a Year 12 student at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, was recently selected in the Australian under-17s side after his performance for NSW in the national championships in Adelaide.
He picked up 10 wickets during the competition, guiding NSW into the final against Victoria.
The decider was drawn, giving the title to the Victorians because they had won more matches during the championships.
“I was pleased with the way I bowled during the championships and I could have had a few more wickets had it not been for some dropped catches,” says Jackson.
He was one of four NSW players chosen for the national side, which will spend four days at the new Cricket Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in April.
Jackson says he is excited at the prospect of learning under the guidance of the centre’s head coach, former Australian Test swing bowler Damian Fleming.
There has been speculation that Australia’s greatest fast bowler, Dennis Lillee, will also be at the training camp.
“It has not been confirmed that Dennis will be there, but it would be an awesome experience to be able to listen and learn from him,” says Jackson.
“I’m excited about the training camp, and I’m sure my cricket will benefit by my learning from a quality bowler like Damian.”
For fast bowlers, the prospect of breaking down is always a possibility.
Jackson suffered a back injury last summer which forced him to miss half of the season.
“I bowled too many overs and as a result I was getting sharp pains in my back,” he says.
“I did some programs to strengthen my back and this season I have had no problems.”
Jackson is a key strike-weapon in St Ignatius’ senior side, and also turns out for Manly’s 3rd grade team in the Sydney Grade Competition.
He is unsure whether he will play for Manly next summer as he is hoping to secure a scholarship with Sydney University.
“A scholarship will benefit my cricket and also help me get qualifications should a career in cricket not work out,” he said.
“At the moment, I’m trying to juggle my cricket and HSC study commitments.
“From a young age, I have dreamed of becoming a professional cricketer and I’m willing to put in the hard work and sacrifice to achieve it.”