ESSEX'S cricketing Bird is set to fly high this year.

Women's first-team wicketkeeper Jess Bird is eagerly awaiting the new season and also plans to play in Australia for six months from September.

The 18-year-old, from Great Bromley, either opens the batting or slots into the middle-order.

She spoke to the Gazette when men's county champions Essex staged their press day at the County Ground in Chelmsford, appearing alongside the likes of England internationals Tom Westley, Ravi Bopara and James Foster.

It was a mixed bag for Essex in Women's County Championship competitions last year, being promoted to division two in the 50-over format but relegated to division three for the T20.

Bird said: "I'll be looking to stay up for the 50-over stuff and push back up in the T20.

"I've been asked to carry on as wicketkeeper in both formats, will bat at five or six in 50-over matches and open in the T20."

Essex open their 50-over campaign at home to Northants on May 6 and get the T20 fixtures underway away to Norfolk on June 10.

Bird, whose ultimate aim is to pull on an England shirt, will also open for newly-promoted Harold Wood in the Championship division of the Women's Southern League.

Their fixtures begin on April 15.

She completes a two-year BTEC Sport course at Colchester Institute in June and is looking to jet off to Australia in September.

Bird said: "I'm looking for a club contract over there, preferably in Melbourne.

"My strength is batting and that will be my focus in Australia."