Xavier John Doherty, born on November 22, 1982, is a former professional cricket player from Australia. Primarily known for his exceptional performance in limited-overs cricket, Doherty was a left-arm spinner who represented Australia at the international level.
Doherty burst onto the international scene with a bang, taking four wickets on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in November 2010. This impressive start led to him receiving his first Test cap later that same month. However, he struggled to make an impact in the two Ashes Tests he played, managing just three wickets for 306 runs. Despite his lackluster performance, Doherty was given another opportunity to represent Australia in Test cricket during the disastrous tour of India in early 2013. Unfortunately, he failed to make a significant impact once again, taking a combined 4 for 242 across two matches.
While Doherty’s Test career may not have lived up to expectations, he found success in one-day internationals. His accurate and intelligent bowling style allowed him to consistently trouble batsmen in limited-overs cricket. Doherty’s absence from the 2011 World Cup due to a back injury was sorely felt by the Australian team. Over the course of his career, he played 59 ODIs and took 55 wickets.
Before making his international debut, Doherty had already established himself as a prominent figure in domestic cricket. He made his first-class debut for Tasmania at the age of 19 in the 2001-2002 season. While he struggled to make a consistent impact in the early years of his career, Doherty’s fortunes changed significantly between 2009 and 2012. During this period, he accumulated 53 wickets at an average of 26.45, solidifying his position as a key player for Tasmania. Doherty played an integral role in Tasmania’s victory in the 2010-11 Sheffield Shield final against New South Wales.
Throughout his career, Doherty was known for his consistent performances in one-day domestic competitions. He featured in four one-day domestic finals, with Tasmania emerging as the winners on three occasions. His standout performance in the 2007-08 final, where he took 4 for 18 in a nail-biting victory over Victoria, was particularly noteworthy. Doherty’s contributions were duly recognized, as he was awarded the Ricky Ponting Medal for being Tasmania’s Player of the Year in 2009-10.
In March 2017, Doherty announced his retirement from professional cricket. By the time of his retirement, he had played 71 first-class matches, 176 List A matches, and 74 T20 matches. Although his Test career may not have reached the heights he had hoped for, Xavier Doherty will be remembered as a steady and intelligent spinner who made a significant impact in limited-overs cricket.