Australia’s one-sided ODI series sweep against the West Indies may have unleashed the country’s pace bowler of the future with Xavier Bartlett bolting into the Test selection frame.
Bartlett, 25, picked up man-of-the-series honours in his debut for the nation, finishing with the staggering figures of 8-38 across his two outings in the 3-0 whitewash.
Building on a BBL campaign where he led the competition’s wicket-taking and helped the Brisbane Heat win the title, Bartlett’s sky-rocketing stocks could see him on the fringes of Test selection in the near future.
Much like fellow paceman Lance Morris has been with the Test side to deputise for Australia’s front-line quicks, ODI captain Steve Smith believed Bartlett could be in line for similar treatment soon.
“It’s possible, there’s plenty of options out there,” he said.
“We’re certainly not short of fast bowlers at the moment, you throw (Michael) Neser in there, (Scott) Boland, obviously he’s been around a lot, Jhye Richardson, he’s played a bit and he’s quality as well.”
Richardson and Morris are both in doubt for the upcoming New Zealand tour due to side strains, Neser has been below his best with the ball for Queensland while Boland is likely to be right despite being bothered by a knee problem recently.
The selectors are likely to choose two quicks as back-up to Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood with Bartlett now firmly in the mix.
Smith was glowing in his praise of Bartlett, who tore apart the West Indies and took 4-21 as Australia rolled them for just 86 at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.
“I remember facing him probably five or six years ago in the Gabba nets before a Test match … I thought ‘jeez, this guy presents a beautiful seam’, which you don’t often see,” Smith said.
“I just remembered that randomly, and then seeing him come out in this series and bowl the way he did was outstanding.
“He presented that seam I spoke about, swung it and got the rewards so it looks like he’s got a bright future.”
Australian legend Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket commentary said Bartlett should be in the selection panel’s thoughts for a Test role.
“You don’t see many genuine swing bowlers in world cricket these days. They are few and far between, good quality swing bowlers.”
Batting starlet Jake Fraser-McGurk also enjoyed his first run in the national team, flashing his considerable potential making 41 off 18 balls in Australia’s easy chase.
“It was exciting, wasn’t it? When he hits them, they certainly stay hit,” Smith said.
“He’s certainly not short of confidence and it’s cool to see someone come in and at the age of 21, just play with such freedom and no fear at all.
“It’s cool to watch and I’m sure he’s gonna have some learnings along the way and things like that.
“But the way he’s playing right now, it’s exciting for everyone to watch.”
with AAP
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
It is one of the saddest stories in the modern game.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I think JFM has a few players ahead of him. And Pucovski might as well not be considered, given that he just got yet another concussion in a 2nd XI game. Poor guy; at this stage, if he doesn't make the decision to retire, it has to be made for him.
jammel
Roar Rookie
If our best Test XI is now Khawaja Smith Marnus Green Head MMarsh Carey Cummins Starc Lyon + Hoff, what's our second Test XI?!? Bancroft MHarris Renshaw Pucovski JFM HardieC Inglis+ Neser TMurphy Boland Morris (12th man JRichardson)
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Remember the old mantra it is harder to get out of the side than to get in.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
The selectors often have a bolter for a tour. Bartlett is that man. His style of bowling is very similar to the swing and seam of NZ bowlers Trent Boult ( now retired) and Southee. He is very much suited to NZ conditions. Even if he earns a certificate in hospitality over there he may pick up a lot of learnings, from the touring party.
Shire
Roar Rookie
130 worked well enough for McGrath
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
A good T20 season and a couple of good spells against a very, very weak Windies ODI team - weaker than the team that couldn’t qualify for the World Cup - and he’s in line for Test duty???. Gawd save us from people who compare oranges with apples. Only red ball performance can be the basis for Test selection. He hasn’t played a single Shield game this season - assume he was injured rather than dropped? Had a good Shield season last year - 23 wickets @ 22 - but similar to a whole bunch of other bowlers. My question mark over Bartlett at Test level would be that he lacks 5 kph or so of pace - bowling around 130 doesn’t seem to work well even if you can swing the ball, and swing only lasts so long in a Test match.
ant
Roar Rookie
I would say the same for Tim David too, think he's just underperforming a bit. Would like to see Josh Brown in for Tim David, and of course, your McGurk in for Stoinis selection. About Bartlett, it's interesting, perhaps the selectors are resting him cos they want to take him on the test tour?
Little Billy Bagwell
Roar Rookie
Get Bartlett on the tour. His extra TEETH might come in handy if they dine at the Auckland Buffet.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
The Australian team do like taking young players on tour, even knowing that they may not play, I presume to get a feel of the touring aspect and knowledge of the team. Whether this is more helpful than getting actual games under the belt is debatable.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I'm a big fan of Bartlett but I wouldn't be taking him to NZ at this point. He has a good shield record and is clearly in form but didn't get to play the first half of the shield season due to injury. If he goes to NZ realistically he's going to be carrying the drinks behind Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood and Boland, so I think he'd be much better off back here playing shield cricket for QLD and getting some red ball cricket under his belt.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
He looks quality to me. Be interesting to see if the selectors look to rotate him in when conditions are favourable or have him as the spare in case one of the three get injured. I personally think the younger blokes should be the former and the more experienced the latter, but the current strategy appears to keep the incumbents going til they leave in a wheelchair and figure the rest out later. Which may work as well as anything else I suppose.
Little Billy Bagwell
Roar Rookie
How in the HELL does Stoinis still get a look into the aus T20 squad............WTF why not try McGurk or any ofthe million other young choices. Bartlett would be spewing he missed out. Selectors are an absolute bunch of clownshoes.