Head coach Matt Walker has explained how Kent have finally got their man by recruiting Australian fast bowler Xavier Bartlett.
Bartlett will be available to play the majority of red and white-ball cricket for Kent at the start of the new season.
The 25-year-old had been playing alongside Spitfires’ T20 skipper Sam Billings for Brisbane Heat in the T20 Big Bash League in Australia where he took 20 wickets in 11 matches, ending the tournament as top wicket-taker.
Walker revealed Kent attempted to lure Bartlett to Canterbury last year but now they have got the deal over the line.
“A couple of years ago, Sam had come across Xavier, I think from playing out in Australia, and became aware of him,” said Walker.
“He was still quite a young prospect but had great potential.
“I think he was one of probably six Australians that we tried to sign at the start of [last] year, who kept getting injured.
“We had gone through some options in the winter of possible targets and, every year we say the same, it’s becoming harder and harder to sign quality overseas players for a period of time.
“He was a name we had talked about among a few others.
“But I think we felt his pedigree in T20 gave us a really sharp edge and some skills that we have missed in the last couple of years in terms of what he can do in that format.”
Bartlett was named player-of-the-series after his One-Day International debut for Australia against West Indies earlier this year. He took 4-17 in the second-best ODI debut by an Australian bowler and also recently made his IT20 debut for his country.
Speaking at Kent’s media day in Canterbury on Friday, Walker added: “His red-ball skills have been on the up for quite a while now.
“His last 12 or even eight months have seen an incredible elevation into the Australian set-up.
“I think he’s the most-improved Australian in the country.
“He’s a really good guy and Sam spoke highly of him, playing with him for The Heat in the winter.”
