Xavier Bartlett

Xavier Bartlett is a tall, strongly built, pace-bowling all-rounder, making waves in Australian cricket.

Since his first-class debut for Queensland (October 2019), the strapping quick has impressed with his genuine pace, and powerful strokeplay when opportunities arise.

Originally from Adelaide, Bartlett moved to the Gold Coast at the age of 7 and started playing junior cricket for Surfers Paradise. In November 2015 (aged 17), Bartlett made his first-grade debut for Gold Coast Dolphins in Brisbane’s Premier Grade Competition, and a year later (August 2016) made his List A debut against India A for the National Performance Squad.

In January 2018, he represented Australia at the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, and after tearing up grade cricket, would go on to break into the Bulls side making his Sheffield Shield debut in October 2019.

It’s fair to say, the imposing all-rounder hasn’t looked back. He bagged his maiden first-class 5-for in only his third match and was part of the Bulls’ Shield-winning campaign in 2020/21. By this stage, Bartlett was already making a name for himself in the Big Bash playing for Brisbane Heat (debut in December 2020).

Either side of COVID, the Gold Coast all-rounder has been a stand-out performer for both the Bulls (State cricket) and the Heat (BBL). At the point of writing (28/08/23), Bartlett has bagged 58 wickets at 25.72 in 17 Shield matches. In 29 BBL matches, he has 28 wickets at 26.07 alongside 188 runs at 37.60, despite limited opportunities with the bat.

At Grade level, since he joined the Gold Coast Dolphins in his mid-teens, Bartlett has racked up 1,628 runs at 28.56 and 108 wickets at 21.45. In recent seasons he has dominated first-grade cricket – 389 runs at 55.57 in 2021/22, and 231 runs at 38.50 plus 14 wickets at 7.43 last summer. His exploits for the Dolphins have helped the club to both first-grade T20 and 50-over titles in recent seasons.

Bartlett is a serious performer who was rewarded with an Australian A cap on their tour to New Zealand (April 2023). He bagged 4 wickets against their kiwi counter-parts, so it clear Bartlett is player earmarked for higher, and potentially international honours.

For now, though, the grounded and level-headed young man, will continue to churn performances in domestic cricket. Thereafter, he is open to a UK return having enjoyed a brief stint with Wargrave (Home Counties Premier League) in 2023 where he played predominantly as a batter.