Xavier Bartlett's Breakthrough Year Continues With San Francisco Unicorns Move

Xavier Bartlett, 2024’s breakout cricket star, lands in MLC with San Francisco. Follow his journey on BRG365 as he eyes T20 glory for club and country.

MLC’s Third Season Gains Australian Pace Star

Australian pace sensation Xavier Bartlett has added another milestone to his breakthrough 2024-25 campaign, signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for Major League Cricket’s third season.

The 26-year-old, fresh off a standout Indian Premier League stint with Punjab Kings, will join the Unicorns’ star-studded roster as the franchise eyes its maiden title after falling short in last year’s final.

Bartlett’s career-defining breakthrough began during Australia’s home summer, where he dominated the Big Bash League as its leading wicket-taker before claiming four-wicket hauls in his first two ODI appearances against West Indies.

His ability to swing the new ball at pace and stifle batters in powerplays earned him a Cricket Australia contract and growing prominence in white-ball plans ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“Xavier’s breakthrough performances this past year have shown he thrives under pressure,” Unicorns coach Shane Watson said. 

“His skill to take early wickets while controlling the run rate makes him a perfect fit for our attack alongside Haris Rauf.”

IPL Experience Fuels Bartlett’s MLC Ambitions

The Queenslander’s rise has been accelerated by his adaptability, evident during his IPL debut where he stepped into Punjab’s injury-hit lineup and delivered economical spells under intense scrutiny.

Now, Bartlett will test his skills at Oakland Coliseum—a venue steeped in American sports history—as the Unicorns open their MLC campaign against defending champions Washington Freedom on June 12.

With Australia’s Test stars unavailable due to overlapping fixtures, the tournament offers Bartlett another platform to solidify his case for national selection.

His signing continues San Francisco’s strategy of investing in emerging talents, following deals with Cooper Connolly and Jake Fraser-McGurk—a trio poised to form the franchise’s core.

“This is about evolving my game against world-class players,” Bartlett said. “Breaking through at the international level was just the start. MLC is the next challenge.”

As the Unicorns build around Bartlett’s breakthrough momentum, the speedster’s trans-Pacific journey could prove pivotal for both his career and cricket’s growing footprint in the U.S. market.