James Hopes Says Xavier Bartlett Is Firmly in Test Team Calculations

Xavier Bartlett’s red-ball training sessions in Potchefstroom sparked speculation of a Test call-up before he returned to Australia to prepare for the Sheffield Shield. While selectors have favored other quicks for recent Test squads, new Queensland coach James Hopes insists the 27-year-old fast bowler is firmly in calculations for the long-form team.

The Tech TL;DR:

• Xavier Bartlett returned from South Africa with unrestricted bowling loads, clearing him to play full Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland at the start of the summer.
• Coach James Hopes points to Bartlett’s first-class batting average of 25.06—including a 28-ball fifty in the recent ODI series—as evidence he is developing into a genuine bowling allrounder.
• Fellow quick Callum Vidler is closing in on a white-ball return through grade cricket after recovering from a back stress fracture, taking it week to week.

Sheffield Shield Returns and Unrestricted Bowling Loads in Perth

Bartlett took 2 for 25 in Australia’s final ODI win against South Africa last week. His red-ball practice in the nets caught the attention of the traveling press pack, prompting brief rumors that he might remain with the Test squad. Instead, he flew directly to Perth to join Queensland for their opening Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia at the WACA ground starting on Thursday.

Past international commitments limited Bartlett to just three Shield matches last summer, alongside two first-class appearances for Australia A. Selectors placed over limits on his bowling during certain domestic fixtures to manage his workload. Coming off the South African tour, however, Bartlett is available without restriction.

“I think he’s well in the Test queue.”

James Hopes told Cricinfo regarding Bartlett’s standing. Hopes noted that Bartlett can handle high workloads if needed.

“I know there’s players being picked in front of him at the moment, but I think the ability for him to come off an Australian tour now and actually play some games, he’s coming back to us available and unrestricted, which is a big thing. He’s played in the last couple of years. I know there’s been some Shield games where there’s been an over limit put on the amount he can bowl. But he’s coming into these games, he’s really excited about the fact that he can just play the game, and if he’s got to bowl 35-40 overs, he’s got to bowl 35-40 overs. And his record is very good.”

First-Class Records and the Allrounder Trajectory

Bartlett has claimed 111 first-class wickets at an average of 25.77 across 32 matches, featuring three five-wicket hauls. Coaches across Queensland and the national setup spent the winter working with him on maintaining his velocity under fatigue, particularly with the older ball on flatter surfaces. Beyond his primary discipline, his batting numbers have drawn attention from coaching staff who worked with him previously at Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.

His first-class batting average sits at 25.06, supported by six half-centuries across his career, three of which arrived in his last six innings. That lower-order utility was proven by a 28-ball fifty during the second ODI against South Africa.

“If you start to look at his batting a bit closer, he’s actually starting to get into the bowling allrounder kind of category.”

Hopes said.

“He scores runs pretty consistently across formats now. He was a pleasant surprise in the IPL with the way that he could bat at the end of the innings. He’s got some upsides. I’m really happy that they just haven’t kept him in South Africa to sit on the bench. He’s got the ability to come back and actually play some meaningful cricket where he can push his case forward in long-form cricket. Because I think once he starts to play this format consistently again, I think his stocks will rise pretty quick for Test cricket.”

Squad Shuffles and Callum Vidler’s Grade Cricket Milestone

Queensland’s pace attack in Perth will operate without Michael Neser, who remains in South Africa with the Test squad, while veteran Mark Steketee continues his rehabilitation from winter hamstring surgery. Callum Vidler remains sidelined from red-ball fixtures while recovering from a back stress fracture. However, Vidler is scheduled to bowl 10 to 12 overs in first-grade club cricket over the weekend as part of a phased return.

“He played third grade as a batter last game, which I think was really good for him to get him back out on the park.”

Hopes explained regarding Vidler’s recovery.

“He’s playing first grade and bowling this weekend, so that’s his first step back to playing. It’ll be 10-12 overs. We thought to get him out to a lower intensity environment for his first bowl back, which is club cricket, and then I think from there it’ll be a progression into the One-Day stuff. Whether the Adelaide One-Dayer is on the table or not, we don’t know. But we’re week to week with him.”

Across other domestic fixtures, Western Australia named Jhye Richardson to face Queensland following his return from the Australia A tour of India. New WA captain Aaron Hardie leads the side despite pulling out of the Australia A white-ball squad due to a minor knee injury. In Sydney, Charlie Stobo takes charge as New South Wales Shield captain against Tasmania at Cricket Central in the absence of Nic Maddinson, while Kurtis Patterson returns from a groin strain.