Australia coach Mickey Arthur has confirmed that Jackson Bird will make his Test debut on Boxing Day against Sri Lanka.

Bird has impressed in domestic cricket with Tasmania and Arthur has revealed that the 26-year-old will replace fellow pace bowler Mitchell Starc in Melbourne.

"We've got a lot of faith in Jackson," said Arthur. "At the start of the summer we had a list of bowlers that we wanted to keep fresh and ready to go and Jackson was one of them.

"He was one of them for the simple reason that he brings everything that we want... pace, he brings swing and consistency.

"He's done it all. We've got no issues about throwing the new ball to him."

Bird has taken 80 wickets in 14 matches for Tasmania.

Australia side to play Sri Lanka: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Matt Wade, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird