Image Credit- Brisbane Heat
Australia may have discovered its future fast bowler
after sweeping the West Indies in the one-sided ODI series. In his first
international match, 25-year-old Xavier Bartlett won man-of-the-series honours
after amassing the incredible 8 for 38 total in his two appearances in the 3-0
rout.
Bartlett’s rising status may find him on the outskirts
of Test selection soon, following a BBL campaign in which he spearheaded the
league’s wicket-taking and assisted the Brisbane Heat in winning the
championship.
Much like fellow paceman Lance Morris has been with
the Test side to deputise for Australia’s front-line quicks, ODI captain Steven
Smith believed Bartlett could be in line for similar treatment soon.
“It’s possible, there’s plenty of options out
there,” he said. “We’re certainly not short of fast bowlers at the
moment, you throw [Michael] Neser in there, [Scott] Boland, obviously he’s been
around a lot, Jhye Richardson, he’s played a bit and he’s quality as
well.”
Smith was glowing in his praise of Bartlett, who tore
apart the West Indies and took 4 for 21 as Australia rolled them for just 86 at
Manuka Oval on Tuesday.
“I remember facing him probably five or six years
ago in the Gabba nets before a Test match…I thought ‘jeez, this guy presents
a beautiful seam’, which you don’t often see,” Smith said. “I just
remembered that randomly, and then seeing him come out in this series and bowl
the way he did was outstanding.
“He presented that seam I spoke about, swung it
and got the rewards so it looks like he’s got a bright future.”