Follow UsAfter toiling hard in the domestic circuit for over half a decade and earning the reputation of being one of the most promising fast bowlers in the country, 2024 proved to be a life-changing year for Queensland’s Xavier Bartlett.
A tall fast bowler who possesses the gift of quick, late swing, Bartlett began 2024 by winning the Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat. And it was he who powered the Heat to the title, proving to be the highest wicket-taker in the competition (20 wickets at 14.70 / 7.63).
Less than 10 days after the BBL triumph, Bartlett wore the Aussie Green and Gold for the first time by debuting in the home ODI series against West Indies and added one more international cap to his name by featuring in the subsequent T20I series as well.
And it would prove to be an extraordinary two weeks for the right-armer, who would end up taking 10 wickets across the three matches, with two four-fers in as many ODIs.
Bartlett would add six more T20I caps over the next six months, but the icing on the cake would come in November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, right towards the end of the year.
Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman and Alzarri Joseph were all among experienced international fast bowlers who went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction, but by the early hours of November 26 in Australia, Bartlett had an IPL contract to his name, having been snapped up by Punjab Kings for INR 80 lakh.
“I watched the auction at home. It was obviously a very weird feeling to see myself get sold. It was quite late at night in the middle of a Shield game back home,” Bartlett told Cricket.com in an exclusive chat.
“I knew that Ricky [Ponting] was obviously the coach of Punjab [Kings], and it was one of the sides that I’d love to play in. He was one of my idols [growing up], someone I looked up to. Very grateful for the opportunity Ricky and Punjab have given me.”
For someone with just two ODIs under his belt, it did not take long for Bartlett to leave an impression in the IPL.
An injury to Lockie Ferguson paved the way into the starting XI for the 26-year-old, and he struck on his very second ball in the competition, dismissing one of the greats in white-ball cricket in Quinton de Kock.
Our chat with Bartlett happened before the Knight Riders encounter but, certainly, it was an extraordinary game to debut in for the speedster, with Punjab pulling off the lowest total defense in the competition’s 18-year history.
It remains to be seen how many more games Bartlett will get in IPL 2025, but the 26-year-old’s goals are clear: to soak up as much knowledge as he possibly can and return home a far better and wiser bowler.
“I want to soak it all up and learn as much as I can,” Bartlett said.
“There’s a wealth of knowledge and experience to be gained in here [in IPL], especially in Indian conditions. The subcontinent conditions are very different to Australia - the grounds are smaller, doesn’t bounce as much. So it’s been good to come over here and learn what works, and pick the brains of some of the best in the business.
“Arshdeep, Lockie and Jansen have played a lot of cricket over here. Obviously, Arsh is the number one T20 bowler in the world. It’s great to have his knowledge and experience, and he’s someone I’m looking forward to working with a lot more.”
Punjab defended 111 against KKR last night, but Bartlett’s introduction to the IPL, the first-ever game he watched from the dugout, was a 243 vs 232 contest against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
Two nights before that GT clash, Bartlett watched Sunrisers Hyderabad plunder 286 against Rajasthan Royals, who themselves responded with 242 runs of their own. These are scores unheard of in a competition like the BBL, where 215 has been passed just thrice across the last two seasons.
“It’s a little bit daunting to watch from the sidelines [as a bowler],” Bartlett admitted, talking about the stupendous high scores in the competition.
“But it’s a great challenge to come over here and face conditions that are high-scoring. You’ve got to come up with ways to try and combat the batters.
“At times, you’re not trying to take wickets but defend. And other times, if you don’t get them out, they’re gonna get the runs. It’s a great opportunity to enhance my own skills. You’re also gonna have a few bad days, which will set you up for success down the line.”
‘Ultimate dream is to play Test cricket for Australia’
Despite making nine appearances, 2024 was a start-stop year for Bartlett in terms of international cricket. 8 wickets in 2 games at an average of 4.75 warrants him to be an automatic pick in 50-over cricket, but the 26-year-old was not able to add on to his two ODI caps due to a combination of untimely injuries and workload management from Cricket Australia.
He had a chance to push his case in the white-ball tour of England in September but suffered a side strain in the very first game of the tour mid-way through his spell.
Australia prioritising more experienced bowlers on the road to the 2025 Champions Trophy meant that Bartlett gradually fell off the ODI scene, but the 26-year-old is determined to work his way up and become a white-ball regular for the Kangaroos.
“Last year, I was unlucky; I picked up a side strain, so I missed the ODI series against England. I guess in Australia we’re so lucky that we have so many great fast bowlers. Obviously, Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood are up there as the best three we’ve ever had. And we’ve had other fast bowlers coming up as well. So I will have to keep biding my time,” Bartlett asserted.
“Opportunities like the IPL will definitely help to push my case. Even if I’m not playing, being around senior squads is an opportunity you’ve got to take with both hands. Very lucky to be in the position I am right now, hopefully I continue to be in the squad and get a few games here and there.”
The good news for Bartlett is that he is someone very much on CA’s radar, and that reflects in their actions.
Exactly a year back, Bartlett signed up to play five County Championship and eight Vitality Blast matches for Kent. However, CA denied Bartlett the NOC to feature in the five red-ball matches, citing workload management.
Playing County Cricket would undoubtedly have made the 26-year-old a far more polished bowler, but Bartlett sees the ‘glass half full’ side of the situation.
“It’s good to be backed by CA. I guess that’s the main thing. Initially, it was disappointing that the opportunity of playing first-class games for Kent did not go through, but then you have the conversation with the medical staff, and they remind you that there’s always the bigger picture ahead,” the 26-year-old said.
“The Kent [T20] stint was still really good. I was lucky to go over there and play the T20 Blast. I learned a lot about bowling in different conditions and played with some great players. Hopefully, I can take some of those learnings and implement it in the IPL.”
Like any other fast bowler, Bartlett has had his fair share of injuries over the years, but he is hopeful that the worst is behind him. At 26, the speedster also understands his body much better now.
“I’ve been really lucky over the last couple of years. Queensland, my state team, has looked after me really well, and the Australian team also have a really good plan in place for me,” the PBKS man said.
“CA have managed me really well in the last couple of years. Fingers crossed that injury woes are behind, but it’s just a part and parcel of fast bowling. Don’t think any fast bowler has got through unscathed.”
The right-armer admitted that, like every single cricketer in Australia, his ultimate dream is to wear the Baggy Green, but his sole focus is on helping Punjab Kings go all the way and lift their first-ever IPL title.
“I guess everyone’s dream is to play Test cricket for Australia. That’s obviously the first goal,” Bartlett said.
“But right now, I’m not looking too far ahead. I’m not taking anything for granted. We’ve got 10 more games to go in the group stages and that’s my main focus. And after that, I’ll look to keep going. Hopefully, I can be in and around the mix [for Australia] if I keep performing.”
Images Courtesy: Punjab Kings / Ishan Mahal