Bartlett seeking to become all-round X-factor
GOLD Coast fast bowler Xavier Bartlett is taking a glass half-full approach to his latest back injury, using the opportunity to work on becoming a three-dimensional all-rounder.
Bartlett has long been touted for big things – he has already made his Queensland debut and represented Australia in the under-19 World Cup – though his progress has been halted by a series of stress fractures.
The 20-year-old has not bowled in a match since early October but has been back playing for the Dolphins in the lower grades as a specialist batsman since Christmas.
“Definitely it’s good to be back out there,” Bartlett said.
“I’m not bowling for the rest of this season, which is a bit disappointing but I guess the medical team at Queensland Cricket have made that decision and they’re looking for longevity down the line but it has been good to work on my batting.
“I’m looking to develop my fielding as well and become a genuine all-rounder in all three aspects of the game.”
Bartlett has been promoted to second grade on the back of a last-start 143 – his maiden career ton.
“It’s good to get the monkey off my back I guess; I’d had a high score of 86 since I was 11 so it was a long time coming,” he said.
Bartlett revealed he will start building his bowling workload back up in mid-May at the start of pre-season.
For Gold Coast’s must-win first grade away match against Sunshine Coast, Trent Arnold and Scott Sanderson have been called up in place of Hugo Burdon and Nathan Lyons.