After continued one-day success for Tasmania, Doherty made his One Day International debut for Australia against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in November 2010.

Later that month, he made his Test debut against England at the Gabba, when he replaced off spinner Nathan Hauritz in team.

In March 2017, he announced his retirement from domestic cricket, following the conclusion of the 2016–17 Sheffield Shield season.

Doherty took an impressive 4/46 from 10 overs with the ball in a losing effort against the Sri Lankans on his One Day International debut.

[6] Australian Chairman of Selectors, Andrew Hilditch, stated before the team for the match was announced: "If we play a specialist spinner, which I am pretty sure we will be, it will be Xavier", which showed the likelihood that Doherty would make his Test and Ashes debuts simultaneously.