10 Promising Under-19 cricketers who faded away

7. Xavier Doherty

Xavier Doherty first came into the picture after some intriguing performances for Tasmania in the domestic One-Day tournaments. Owing to that, he was named the state’s One-Day player of the year in consecutive seasons. The left-arm spinner picked up four wickets on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in November 2010 for which he had to wait a bit longer. The same month he also received the baggy green cap.

He had a tough time making an impact in the two-Test matches that he played at the Gabba and Adelaide Oval. After almost two and a half years, he got another chance in red-ball cricket. It was Australia’s tour to India and Doherty couldn’t make most of it as despite bowling in tight lines he seemed to have pitched the ball too full and wasn’t able to generate enough turn. When Doherty entered the cricketing arena after having starred in the Under-19 World Cup, big things were expected from him. However, he was unable to make consistent impacts.

Known as an intelligent and accurate bowler, he has been a part of Australia’s domestic circuit for more than a decade. He announced his retirement in March 2017 after having played 71 first-class, 176 List A, and 74 T20s. Compared to Test cricket his numbers were decent in the ODIs but he missed out to be a part of the Australian side at the 2011 World Cup on the subcontinent, owing to a back injury. In the 60 ODIs he played, he picked up 55 wickets whereas in four Tests he clinched seven wickets. Doherty played 11 T20Is and scalped 10 wickets.