The fast bowler Xavier Bartlett returns to action for the first time after suffering a side strain in September and will be part of Australia’s bowling unit for Pakistan T20Is.
The return of Bartlett will increase the bowling depth with a gruelling Border Gavaskar Trophy set to test the fitness of the cricketer. Bartlett has not played in domestic cricket so far in the season and has recently returned to local cricket in Brisbane.
Xavier Bartlett was the leading wicket-taker in last season’s BBL and helped Brisbane to win the title. He also claimed four-wicket hauls in the first two ODIs against West Indies and picked 6 wickets from four tours at an average of 17.66.
He was added to Australia’s squad to build depth after Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc started their preparations for the five-match test series against India.
Spencer Johnson, Lance Morris, Sean Abbott and Marcus Stoinis has played in the third ODI with Bartlett watching from the sidelines after coming into Australia’s ODI squad in a non playing role for the second match.
Australia suffered a home ODI defeat after 2123 days against Pakistan after India beat them in 2019 last time. He spoke about Pakistan’s brillance with the ball and hasn’t been lost on the home side.
“They’ve been amazing,” said Xavier Bartlett. “The last two games they’ve only used four bowlers. (They’re bowling) 140 from both ends for the whole game. It’s been pretty exciting to watch.
“They bowled really great lengths and they were just really attacking … they might go for a few more runs at times but the lengths they’ve bowled have been really good and (I’ll) hopefully look to emulate that. We’ll take a leaf out of their book for this series.”
If he is set to play in the series opener, it will be his first international match in front of his home crowd. He said that he will share the new ball with Brisbane Heat teammate Spencer Johnson.
The duo were unstoppable in the Big Bash League last season where Brisbane Heat won the title.
“I love bowling with Spencer,” Bartlett said. “He’s someone who bowls left arm first and foremost, but bowls 150 (kmph), swings it, he’s pretty much the perfect package.
“Hopefully he can complement me at the other end and really looking forward to getting out there again with him,” he concluded. The first match of the Pakistan T20I will be played on November 14 at The Gabba.
