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Jackson Bird has been forced to curtail his latest English County Championship stint due to a shoulder injury and left Kent after just three matches.

Former Australian Test bowler Jackson Bird is heading home after suffering a shoulder injury while playing in the County Championship for Kent.

The 35-year-old had signed a deal for the first six matches of the season.

But Bird left the field after injuring his shoulder during Kent's defeat to Hampshire last month. A specialist advised him to return to Australia to begin rehabilitation.

Bird's third sojourn in England's domestic first-class competition was not a success. He took 3-83 on his debut against Essex and made a rare half-century. However, he then took 0-83 as Lancashire made 506 and 0-58 as Hampshire hit 6-652.

"We all wish Jackson a swift recovery and he leaves with our best wishes," said Kent's director of cricket Paul Downton.

"We hope to see him fit and playing again at the start of the Australian season."

Bird, who pays for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, made nine Test appearances for Australia from 2012-2017.