Jackson Bird is primed for an Ashes crack at England if any of Australia's frontline quicks go down.
That's the view of Tasmania coach Adam Griffith after the swing bowler led the Tigers to an upset 10-wicket win over ladder-leaders NSW in Hobart on Wednesday.
Bird is the leading wicket-taker at the halfway mark of the Shield season with 25 scalps at an average of 16.
The 30-year-old told AAP he felt in career-best form and Griffith agreed.
"Apart from those three blokes playing in the Test match, he's the next-best in the country," Griffith said.
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As Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins ripped into England in Adelaide's second Test, Bird picked up seven wickets in the match against the Blues including prized scalp Ed Cowan in both innings.
Griffith also praised Bird for taking the Tigers' younger quicks under his wing.
Gabe Bell and Sam Rainbird are inside the top five Shield wicket-takers with 18 apiece.
"Their consistency gets better and better all the time," Griffith said.
"If you'd have told me we'd have the young guys playing four or five games I'd have questioned you.
"To have them on the park is one thing but performing is another and that's what they're doing."
Tasmania have moved to third on the ladder ahead of a two-month Sheffield Shield hiatus.
The first-class season resumes in February after the Big Bash.
