JACKSON Bird has declared himself “disappointed” after discovering he will not be returning to Hampshire in 2016.

The Australian fast bowler bagged 19 wickets in six Championship appearances last summer.

He wanted a second spell at The Ageas Bowl, but his hopes have been dashed with the recent permanent signing of Ryan McLaren.

The former Kent man joins Fidel Edwards, Gareth Berg and James Tomlinson as frontline seam bowling options in 2016.

"I am not going back to Hampshire next year,” Bird confirmed.

"They have signed Ryan McLaren so they won't need me as well.

"I am disappointed because I wanted to go back, but it’s highly unlikely now.

"Hopefully there will be another opportunity in the future because I loved my time at The Ageas Bowl.

"Ideally, I would like to play for a county for two-thirds of a season; it’s difficult to commit to a full season because of the start of pre-season training for Tasmania,

"I'm sure Hampshire will win trophies in the coming years given the quality of the playing group."

Bird admits his return to form is well timed as national selectors look to replace the retired Mitchell Johnson

The right-arm quick recently took 5- 69 to spearhead the dismantling of South Australia's second innings in the Sheffield Shield in Hobart.

After a couple of years battling injury, the 28-year old Bird believes he is back to the level that saw him make his Test debut in December 2012.

"It's nice to come back and feel like I'm bowling as good as what I was when I first got picked for Australia," he said.

"It's good timing to get some wickets.

"But there are a lot of good bowlers around at the moment. Until I get the phone call I won't be losing any sleep."