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Xavier Doherty

XAVIER DOHERTY
XAVIER DOHERTY Image: Wikimedia Commons. paddynapper / CC BY-SA 2.0

Xavier John Doherty (born 22 November 1982) is a former Australian international cricketer who represented Australia in international cricket and played domestic cricket for Tasmania. A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Doherty was part of the Australian squad that won the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

Personal and career facts

Full name Xavier John Doherty
Date of birth 22 November 1982
Nationality Australian
Batting Left-handed
Bowling Slow left-arm orthodox
Domestic team Tasmania
ODI debut November 2010, vs Sri Lanka, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Test debut November 2010, vs England, the Gabba, Brisbane
Major honour 2015 Cricket World Cup winner
Retirement March 2017

Background

Doherty established himself as a left-arm spin bowler on the Australian domestic circuit while playing for Tasmania. His sustained success in the one-day format for the state side brought him to the attention of national selectors in 2010.

International career

Doherty made his One Day International debut for Australia against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in November 2010. Later that same month, he was handed his Test debut against England at the Gabba in Brisbane, where he came into the side in place of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Doherty was not selected in Australia's squad for the 2011 Cricket World Cup owing to a back injury. He returned to the national set-up in subsequent years and was a member of the Australian team that won the 2015 Cricket World Cup, played jointly in Australia and New Zealand.

Timeline

  • 22 November 1982 – Born.
  • November 2010 – ODI debut against Sri Lanka at the MCG.
  • November 2010 – Test debut against England at the Gabba.
  • 2011 – Missed the World Cup squad due to a back injury.
  • 2015 – Part of Australia's World Cup-winning squad.
  • March 2017 – Announced retirement from domestic cricket after the 2016–17 Sheffield Shield season.

After cricket

Following his retirement from professional cricket, Doherty has worked as a carpenter.

Significance

Doherty is among the left-arm spinners who featured for Australia during a transitional period for the country's spin bowling stocks in the early 2010s. His selection at Test level marked one of several attempts by Australian selectors to identify a long-term spin option in that era, and his inclusion in the 2015 World Cup-winning squad remains the highlight of his international career.

References