BASHING HIS WAY TO STRESS RELIEF
XAVIER Bartlett has announced himself to the cricketing world with a stunning opening season in the Big Bash League with the Brisbane Heat.
The Southport School graduate has become the team’s strike weapon against opposition opening batsman.
Stress fractures threatened to derail his career before it began but some technique tweaks under the guise of Queensland legend Andy Bichel changed everything.
THE transformation of his bowling action under the guise of Queensland great Andy Bichel has propelled Xavier Bartlett to what is shaping up to be a career-defining Big Bash League season.
Bartlett was forced out of cricket for 12 months in 2018 at the age of 19 as stress fractures took their toll on the rising fast bowler who had briefly signed with the Heat at the age of 18 as an injury replacement for Luke Feldman.
Now, at the age of 22, Bartlett is thriving in his first full season with the Heat, taking eight wickets in six games.
He will be part of a Brisbane team that will play two games at Metricon Stadium this week, against the Melbourne Stars on Thursday and Sydney Sixers on Sunday.
Bartlett revealed it was the tweaks made to his bowling technique by Bichel that ultimately enabled him to return to cricket and become Australia’s next young gun who can swing the ball while bowling in excess of 140km/h.
“It was a frustrating period when I was injured but I had good people around me,” the Gold Coast Dolphins player said.
“Andy tinkered with my action to get it to be able to hold all the forces that go through my body.
“Andy is amazing. I have known him for a while because he was my under-19 coach.
“He has been great for my cricket and personally he has been a mentor and a friend as well.
“He always has your back. I have spoken to him a bit through the Big Bash to bounce ideas off. He is a class bloke and even better coach.”
The Southport School graduate has become an opening batsman’s nightmare, claiming the scalps of the likes of Marcus Stoinis, D’Arcy Short and Usman Khawaja.
“That is my role in this team, to move the ball and take wickets,” Bartlett said.
“I have that freedom because we have such a classy and explosive batting line up and a great team of bowlers. It really allows me to attack at the start.”
Bartlett said his ultimate ambition was to one day represent Australia but after finally finding his feet at the top level, he is determined to garner as much experience as he can.
“I’m still only young and have only played a handful of games. I’m enjoying getting the experience, Bartlett said.