Re: Australian International Summer
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 3:51 pmUPDATE: HILTON Cartwright is in line for a shock Test debut on Boxing Day as the all-rounder looms large as one of the great selection bolters of all time.
The Zimbabwean-born 24-year-old has been called into the Australian squad for the second Test against Pakistan at the MCG as cover for a tired bowling attack.
Cartwright will now go head-to-head with Nic Maddinson for the Australian No.6 spot on cricket’s banner day.
Interim National Selector Trevor Hohns said Cartwright can fit the bill as a top six batsman.
“The bowlers got through a high workload in Brisbane and although everyone has pulled up okay, on reflection we wanted to give ourselves the option of including an all-rounder in Melbourne to ease that workload somewhat,” said Hohns.
“To do that we wanted a batting all-rounder, someone to bowl seam up and capable of batting in the top six as well, and after considering several names we came to the conclusion that Hilton fits that bill.
“We have seen plenty of him, he has performed well this season and we believe that if called upon he will do an excellent job.”
The meteoric rise of Cartwright comes just a couple of weeks after he was included in Australia’s one-day squad against New Zealand only to be released without playing a match.
However, it’s clear selectors have had their eye for some time on an impressive talent who averages 44.50 from 16 first-class matches for Western Australia.
Cartwright’s bowling figures aren’t quite as impressive, averaging just under a wicket a match.
But he is a strong right-arm medium pacer who hits the deck hard.
Cartwright has jumped fellow West Australian Mitchell Marsh in the queue, with selectors perhaps concerned that Marsh is a little underdone for long-form cricket after a recent injury.
Marsh was dropped for the Hobart Test and aside from one big score in the ODI series, hasn’t been able to put the numbers on the board selectors are asking of him.
Cartwright is the latest member of Australia’s new-look Test set-up, following the six new faces that were brought in for the Adelaide Test.
The Zimbabwean-born 24-year-old has been called into the Australian squad for the second Test against Pakistan at the MCG as cover for a tired bowling attack.
Cartwright will now go head-to-head with Nic Maddinson for the Australian No.6 spot on cricket’s banner day.
Interim National Selector Trevor Hohns said Cartwright can fit the bill as a top six batsman.
“The bowlers got through a high workload in Brisbane and although everyone has pulled up okay, on reflection we wanted to give ourselves the option of including an all-rounder in Melbourne to ease that workload somewhat,” said Hohns.
“To do that we wanted a batting all-rounder, someone to bowl seam up and capable of batting in the top six as well, and after considering several names we came to the conclusion that Hilton fits that bill.
“We have seen plenty of him, he has performed well this season and we believe that if called upon he will do an excellent job.”
The meteoric rise of Cartwright comes just a couple of weeks after he was included in Australia’s one-day squad against New Zealand only to be released without playing a match.
However, it’s clear selectors have had their eye for some time on an impressive talent who averages 44.50 from 16 first-class matches for Western Australia.
Cartwright’s bowling figures aren’t quite as impressive, averaging just under a wicket a match.
But he is a strong right-arm medium pacer who hits the deck hard.
Cartwright has jumped fellow West Australian Mitchell Marsh in the queue, with selectors perhaps concerned that Marsh is a little underdone for long-form cricket after a recent injury.
Marsh was dropped for the Hobart Test and aside from one big score in the ODI series, hasn’t been able to put the numbers on the board selectors are asking of him.
Cartwright is the latest member of Australia’s new-look Test set-up, following the six new faces that were brought in for the Adelaide Test.
