Australian fast bowler Xavier Bartlett has created history in international cricket. The young pacer became the first Australian cricketer to take a wicket on the very first ball of a T20I match twice in his career. This rare achievement came during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, making him one of the standout performers of the tournament.
In this article, we break down Xavier Bartlett’s historic milestone, match details, records, and how he compares to other Australian bowlers.
Xavier Bartlett’s Historic Record in T20I Cricket
On February 20, 2026, during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Xavier Bartlett opened the bowling attack for Australia against Oman in Pallekele.
On the very first ball of the match, Bartlett clean bowled Oman opener Aamir Kaleem for a golden duck. With this wicket, Bartlett became:
- ✅ The first Australian to take a wicket on the first ball of a T20I match twice
- ✅ Only the second Australian to take a first-ball wicket in a T20 World Cup match
- ✅ One of the rare bowlers in world cricket to achieve this milestone
Earlier, on January 29, 2026, Bartlett had achieved a similar feat against Pakistan in Lahore, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan on the very first delivery of the match.
This incredible consistency shows why Xavier Bartlett is quickly becoming a key fast bowler for Australia.
Xavier Bartlett’s First-Ball Wickets in T20Is
Here is a simple table showing his historic achievements:
| Bowler | Opposition Batter | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | Lahore | January 29, 2026 |
| Xavier Bartlett | Aamir Kaleem | Oman | Pallekele | February 20, 2026 |
This record puts Xavier Bartlett in an elite category of Australian bowlers.
Also read: Hammad Mirza Shines as Oman Reach 73/5 Against Australia – Match Highlights & Key Moments
Australian Bowlers with First-Ball Wickets in T20I
Before Bartlett, only two Australian bowlers had taken a wicket on the first ball of a T20I match:
1️⃣ Shane Watson
- Dismissed William Porterfield (Ireland)
- T20 World Cup 2012
- Colombo (RPS)
- September 19, 2012
2️⃣ Billy Stanlake
- Dismissed Cephas Zhuwao (Zimbabwe)
- Harare
- July 6, 2018
Now, Xavier Bartlett has surpassed them by doing it twice, which makes his record even more special.
Complete List: Australia Bowlers with First-Ball T20I Wickets
| Bowler | Opposition Batter | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Watson | William Porterfield | Ireland | Colombo (RPS) | September 19, 2012 |
| Billy Stanlake | Cephas Zhuwao | Zimbabwe | Harare | July 6, 2018 |
| Xavier Bartlett | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | Lahore | January 29, 2026 |
| Xavier Bartlett | Aamir Kaleem | Oman | Pallekele | February 20, 2026 |
Xavier Bartlett in T20 World Cup History
Bartlett is also the second Australian after Shane Watson to take a wicket on the first ball of a T20 World Cup match.
The last bowler globally to achieve this in a T20 World Cup before Bartlett was Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed USA opener Shayan Jahangir in the 2024 edition.
This shows how rare and special this achievement truly is.
Why This Record is So Special?
Taking a wicket on the first ball of a T20I match is extremely difficult because:
- Batters are fresh and confident
- Bowlers have no rhythm yet
- The pressure of the opening delivery is very high
Doing it twice in international cricket shows Bartlett’s skill, confidence, and ability to handle big-match pressure.
Xavier Bartlett: Rising Star of Australian Cricket
At just 27 years old, Xavier Bartlett is already making headlines worldwide. Apart from international cricket, he also represents Punjab Kings in the IPL, gaining valuable experience in high-pressure matches.
With performances like these, Bartlett is proving he can become a long-term asset for Australian cricket in T20Is and global tournaments.