Bartlett eyes red-ball rewards after promising African tour

Australia white-ball quick Xavier Bartlett hopes a few tweaks to his bowling action will improve his red-ball record ahead of a new Sheffield Shield season.

Bartlett, who has returned to Australia after playing five one-day internationals across Zimbabwe and South Africa, has been named in Queensland's side for their first-class season opener against Western Australia beginning on Thursday.

The 27-year-old has now played 34 matches for Australia in 10 countries across ODIs and T20 internationals, averaging under 23 in both formats.

Experiencing Africa for the very first time, Bartlett removed Proteas stalwarts Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock to help Australia win their final ODI of the tour in Potchefstroom.

He also showed his prowess with the bat, hitting a rapid 50 off 28 during the second game of the series in Johannesburg.

Despite his success, Bartlett is attempting to increase his bowling speed through some subtle changes that could push his quest for a Test squad call-up.

"I guess my goal is to always try and play Test cricket for Australia and trying to keep that ball speed up," Bartlett said to cricket.com.au. "That can only help my red-ball aspirations.

"I'm trying to make it (ball speed) a little bit more potent through those middle overs ... using my bounce a bit more, and then making my change of pace a little bit more deceptive. (Through) my front arm and my bowling arm, I'm trying to get a little bit more lag and get a bit more bounce.

"It's been a cool process to work through and play around with. I feel like I'm seeing some rewards at the moment with a little bit of ball speed increase."

While Bartlett's first-class bowling average sits at a more than respectable 25.77, the right-armer has been taking inspiration from fellow Bulls teammate and Australia Test star, Michael Neser.

The pair took nine wickets between them when Queensland claimed their last Shield title, against New South Wales in the 2020-21 decider.

Since then, Neser has played five Test matches and a significant role in each, taking 22 wickets at 18.9.

"I've played club cricket with him since I was 15 and he was the senior head," Bartlett said of his Gold Coast Dolphins teammate.

"I think now he's one of my close mates. I guess he's never changed from what he was when I first came into the squadron. He is known one of the best bowlers in the world, so to learn off him has been pretty cool and he's just such a laidback character. The success he had last year was amazing... and it's just awesome to see him flying."

Neser worked closely with Queensland bowling coach Hamish Bennett prior to his impressive performances in Australia's 4-1 Ashes drubbing of England last summer.

Bennett, a former New Zealand international, helped the 36-year-old sustain a consistent pace between 135 and 138kph during that series.

Bartlett liked what he saw and wants to follow suit with the aid of the Bulls assistant coach.

"He's been around for a couple of years now with Queensland and he did some really cool stuff with 'Nes'," Bartlett said.

"Nes' summer was unbelievable and to see the impact he had in the Ashes with his ball speed (was great). 

"Also (veteran Queensland bowling coach) Andy Bichel has been around for a number of years. I've been working with him since I was 15 or 16, so to have those two to bounce off has been awesome."

With Neser overseas for Australia's three-Test tour of South Africa, Bartlett is set to spearhead a Bulls attack that's added Western Australia's leading wicket-taker from last season, Cameron Gannon.

Gannon is not the only loss for WA heading into a new Shield campaign, with speedster Lance Morris set to miss the state's opening two first-class matches as he continues to recover from a side strain.

Queensland will also be without captain Marnus Labuschange and veteran batter Matthew Renshaw, who are also in Durban.

In Labuschagne's absence, leg-spinner Mitch Swepson will lead the Bulls at the WACA Ground.