Dolphins quick Xavier Bartlett secures best first-grade figures in Qld Premier Cricket clash with UQ

A FIT and firing Xavier Bartlett believes he is tracking towards peak form as he adapts to his new role as the Gold Coast Dolphins’ Queensland Premier Cricket spearhead.

A FIT and firing Xavier Bartlett believes he is tracking towards peak form as he adapts to his new role as the Gold Coast Dolphins’ Queensland Premier Cricket spearhead.

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On the comeback trail from a third bout of back stress fractures that prematurely ended his 2018-19 season last October, Bartlett produced his best display of the new campaign on Saturday as the Dolphins went toe-to-toe with perennial premiership challengers University of Queensland.

The 20-year-old quick finished with 4-42 to restrict UQ to 249 in their two-day battle at St Lucia, with captain Matt Kuhnemann (6 not out) and deputy Jack Hargreaves (4 not out) then surviving a tricky four-over period before stumps to reach 0-10 in reply.

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The capture of career-best first grade figures could prove a seminal moment for former Australian under-19 representative Bartlett, whose 11 List A appearances for Queensland - including two last month - have turned him into the leader of the young Dolphins attack this season.

Gold Coast Dolphins quick Xavier Bartlett in action for Queensland last month. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“It was good to finally get a few wickets,” Bartlett, whose four wickets before Saturday had come at 44 runs apiece, said.

“It was good to bowl in a partnership. I was bowling with Kanny (Josh Kann) at the start and he was bowling really good, tight lines and I was lucky enough to get the wickets.

“I feel like they’re coming out nicely, I’m starting to get my rhythm and the ball is still moving, I’m still swinging it.

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“I’m pretty happy with my body and how it’s feeling at the moment and I put that down to all the work I did in the pre-season with getting my legs stronger and my rehab.

“I haven’t had any niggles this pre-season, which has been refreshing. Especially with Ness (Michael Neser) being away, I feel like I’m kind of the leader of attack now.

“It’s good to have the extra responsibility. Nothing really changes though, I just try and bowl tight and bowl with the bloke at the other end.”

As they so often do, UQ found a way to scrap to a competitive total after hitting trouble at various stages.

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Having recovered from 2-13, the reigning premiers stumbled again to be 7-156 and 8-199 but managed to reach 249 in the face of pressure from Bartlett, legspinning all-rounder Hugo Burdon (3-18), Max Bryant (2-24) and Kuhnemann (1-79).

The day-two target is one within reach, according to Bartlett, as the Dolphins fight back from their opening two-day loss to Ipswich-Logan.

Bartlett (right) is dismissed in the Dolphins’ two-day loss to Ipswich-Logan. Picture: Steve Holland

“There will still be a bit in the wicket but if we bat smart and bat the whole day, I think we should be able to get the 250,” The Southport School product, who moved to the Coast from Adelaide at the age of 10, said.

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“There was a lot of rain around the first session (on Saturday), which made it tough for the bowlers with footing, but I thought we bowled really well and just focused on trying to get the batters out.

“It was a really good team effort, everyone chipped in with wickets. Hugo bowled really well and Max got two big wickets of Dom Michael and Jack Clayton.”