Xavier Bartlett set to boost Test ambitions as Callum Vidler gears up for limited‑overs return

In the nets during Australia’s recent tour match in Potchefstroom, Xavier Bartlett’s red‑ball bowling drew noticeable attention from the travelling press. The 27‑year‑old had taken 2 for 25 in the final ODI against South Africa, prompting speculation about a possible Test recall, though the tour confirmed he was merely sharpening his skills before rejoining Queensland for the Sheffield Shield opener at the WACA on Thursday.

Bartlett’s age and recent form make him a potential future Test prospect as Australia looks to replace an ageing pace cadre. Despite strong white‑ball performances, he sits behind Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott in the current Test pecking order. Nevertheless, he has played first‑class cricket for Australia A and his red‑ball record—111 wickets at 25.77 from 32 matches, including three five‑wicket hauls—remains impressive.

Queensland coach James Hopes believes Bartlett is closer to a Test debut than many realise. “I think he’s well in the Test queue,” Hopes told Cricinfo. “He’s played on an Australian tour and is coming back unrestricted, which is a big thing. He can bowl 35‑40 overs and his record is very good.” Hopes highlighted Bartlett’s excitement ahead of a block of Shield matches scheduled before Australia’s home ODI series against England on November 13, noting that the player is “really excited about the fact that he can just play the game”.

Bartlett’s batting has also developed into a valuable all‑round component. He averages 25.06 in first‑class cricket with six half‑centuries, including three in his last six innings, and struck a 28‑ball 50 in the second ODI against South Africa. Hopes, who worked with him at Punjab Kings, praised his ability to bat at the end of innings, saying, “If you start to look at his batting a bit closer, he’s actually starting to get into the bowling allrounder kind of category.”

Looking ahead, Bartlett will lead Queensland’s pace attack in Perth without Neser (on Test duties) and with veteran Mark Steketee still recovering from hamstring surgery. The summer’s Shield schedule, beginning with three matches before the ODI series, is expected to be a platform for Bartlett to “push his case forward in long‑form cricket.”

Callum Vidler remains sidelined from red‑ball cricket while recovering from a stress fracture in his back, but the exciting quick is closing in on a return to white‑ball action. He is set to bowl in first‑grade club cricket this weekend, marking a gradual step back after playing as a batter in third grade recently.

“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 said. “But 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.”

Vidler’s rehabilitation has included consistent bowling drills and a growing focus on match tactics rather than just his action. “He’s starting to do some things consistently now. He started bowling consistently at training. He started to talk more about the bowling side of things as opposed to the action side of things, which is normally the steps you see with these young guys,” Hopes observed. “And I think that’s a good sign.”

Meanwhile, Jhye Richardson has been named by Western Australia after completing his stint with Australia A in India. New WA captain Aaron Hardie will lead the side despite a minor knee injury that kept him out of the Australia A white‑ball squad. In other state news, Charlie Stobo captains New South Wales in the Shield clash with Tasmania, while Kurtis Patterson is expected to return after a groin issue. Jack Edwards and Joel Davies remain unavailable due to hamstring strains, and Billy Stanlake is out for Tasmania with a side strain.

Queensland squad

Mitchell Swepson (c), Xavier Bartlett, Hugo Burdon, Jack Clayton, Cameron Gannon, Lachlan Hearne, Hayden Kerr, Angus Lovell, Dylan McLachlan, Jimmy Peirson, Jem Ryan, Tom Straker, Hugh Weibgen

Western Australia squad

Aaron Hardie (c), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Kieran Elliott, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli

New South Wales squad

Charlie Stobo (c), Sean Abbott, Oliver Davies, Jack Edwards, Brock Fitton, Ryan Hicks, Bryce Jackson, Riley Kingsell, Reiley Mark, Kurtis Patterson, Will Salzmann, Jake Scott

Tasmania squad

Jordan Silk (c), Marcus Bean, Gabe Bell, Jake Doran, Brad Hope, Caleb Jewell, Raf MacMillan, Caelan Maladay, Ben McDermott, Aidan O’Connor, Will Prestwidge, Tim Ward, Teague Wyllie

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