Alongside established seamers Michael Neser and Mark Steketee, the trio sought to ensure developing prospects Tom Whitney and Callum Vidler were not deterred from becoming the Australian attack’s next generation.

Whitney, who missed last season following back surgery, has been the biggest benefactor of Bartlett’s influence – taking five wickets on his Sheffield Shield debut.

“Xavier’s been really good leading into this season, and last year going through injury. They’ve all experienced it, and just their experience itself going through this game was really good to lean on,” Whitney said.

“Prioritising your body and recovery they’re really strong on. I’ve just been taking notes out of their book and their preparation, and then skill-wise, they’ve been awesome, being able to identify batters and ways to bowl to them.”

Bartlett will seek to eradicate the demons of Australia’s 2-1 ODI series defeat to Pakistan, after the hosts were blown off the park with bat and bowl.

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Australia rested Cummins and Starc for the series decider, while Hazlewood did not feature ahead of a gruelling five-Test summer against India, and only Lance Morris’ double-wicket over stood out among the replacements.

But Bartlett does not entirely believe pride needs to be restored, as he reignites his partnership with Spencer Johnson.

Johnson issued a reminder of his credentials in just his second game since August, when he took figures of 4/46 against Victoria on his own injury comeback, before joining the ODI side.

And Bartlett was adamant the pair’s time at the Heat would prove the complimentary partnership needed to derail Pakistan stars Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

“He bowls left-arm, 150 [kilometres an hour], he swings it, so he’s pretty much the perfect package. To have him complement me at the other end is really good,” Bartlett said.

“It was disappointing to go down, but we can take some positives out of that, and some momentum into this T20 series.

“Australian cricket has been so good for so long, so we’re not really used to losing that often.”

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