Xavier Bartlett proved so good in his outings in Melbourne and at Manuka Oval that he earned the player of the series honour despite being rested from Sunday’s SCG game.
The 25-year-old was fortunate to claim opener Kjorn Ottley LBW given the West Indian actually struck the ball, with his failure to call for a review the start of a horror show for his nation.
But Bartlett’s effort to take 4-21 from seven overs, which follows a four wicket haul at the MCG, demonstrated he is clearly a talent worthy of consideration for future tours.
Just how far afield some are looking is intriguing given Bartlett’s ability to swing the ball and his skill in all three formats of the game.
Bartlett bowled superbly for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and now has eight wickets from two ODI outings for Australia at an average under five.
But the South Australian is more than simply a short-form bowler, having taken 62 wickets at an average of 26 to date in 18 First Class matches.
Kerry O’Keeffe likened Bartlett to former Australian swing bowling star Terry Alderman when stating he believed the newcomer to international ranks would be dangerous in England.
By the time Australia next travels to the United Kingdom on an Ashes Tour, Bartlett will be 29 and arguably at the peak of his powers.
Mark Waugh, too, was impressed by Bartlett. He believes the swing bowler would be particularly hard to face in English conditions and shapes as an x-factor for Australian selectors to consider.
“My word. He would be,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
“You don’t see many genuine swing bowlers in world cricket these days. They are few and far between, good quality swing bowlers.”
Bartlett, for his part, was happy to have an opportunity to shine while Australia rested premier pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and said he will never forget bowling Justin Greaves at the MCG to secure his first wicker for his nation.
“You can’t really go past your first one,” Bartlett told Fox Cricket.
“It (has been) amazing. Obviously to be part of the group with so many debutantes ... it was a great feeling to be around them.”
Australia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith was delighted with his performance and said he had kept an eye on Bartlett for a number of years.
“I think he is good. I remember facing him probably five or six years ago, I think, in the Gabba nets before a Test match and I remember the seam coming down and thought, ‘Gee. This guy presents a beautiful seam’, which you don’t often see,” Smith said.
“I just remembered it randomly and then to see him come out in this series and bowl the way he did, it was outstanding. He presented that seam that I spoke about and swung it and got the rewards. It looks like he has a bright future.”
Source: Fox Sports
