Ashes 2017/18: Josh Hazlewood Throws Support Behind Hilton Cartwright for Number Six Spot

Nov 6, 2017 at 3:23 PM

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Ashes 2017/18: Josh Hazlewood Throws Support Behind Hilton Cartwright for Number Six Spot

Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood believes batting all-rounder Hilton Cartwright deserves the much-talked-about number six position in the hosts’ line-up for the upcoming Ashes 2017-18 series against England.

Cricket Australia national selectors are bound to announce the eagerly-awaited Ashes squad soon after the culmination of the third round of JLT Sheffield Shield tournament.

“He has obviously done the work for the last few years in Shield cricket and probably deserves his chance if he gets it,” Hazlewood told Cricket Australia.

Interestingly, the 25-year-old Harare-born Cartwright became the victim of Hazlewood when the latter got trapped in front of stumps on the duck.

Josh Hazlewood, Support, Hilton Cartwright, Vacant Position, First-Choice, Ashes 2017-18, JLT Sheffield Shield.
Cartwright aims to score heavily while batting in the middle-order set-up for WA. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

(Read Also: England’s tour of Australia: The Ashes 2017-18 — Series Preview)

Owing to his consistency at home, Cartwright further topped the charts in the 2015-16 season regarding average with the bat. Cartwright is averaging 50.80 in 24 first-class fixtures which further saw him smashing four-hundred and eight fifties.

“His first-class numbers are pretty good. Really good actually,” Hazlewood maintained.

Before on-field umpire raised the dreaded finger, Cartwright faced five balls, as he was asked to take a long way back to the dressing room.

Earlier, in the first round of the four-day fixture against Tasmania, the Warriors batsman pushed his case for Ashes call-up after register 61 and 38 in both his innings.

Josh Hazlewood, Support, Hilton Cartwright, Vacant Position, First-Choice, Ashes 2017-18, JLT Sheffield Shield.
Hazlewood played 31 Tests in which he claimed 118 wickets at an average of 25.75. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

As of now, Cartwright’s morale seemed to be dent by missing out to score big runs against Blues.

However, to Cartwright’s respite, the selectors are yet to conclude picking up the major players, as six-team competition will complete first two rounds of the Shield. The 26-year-old Tamworth-born bowler Hazlewood bowled a breezy spell in the ongoing match of the Sheffield Shield competition against Mitchell Marsh’s Western Australia in Sydney.

So far, in three Shield innings, the right-handed Cartwright scored 99 runs which he eventually collected in Perth.

Josh Hazlewood, Support, Hilton Cartwright, Vacant Position, First-Choice, Ashes 2017-18, JLT Sheffield Shield.
Hazlewood made his international debut against England at Southampton in June 2010. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Moreover, the wily right-arm bowler Hazlewood claimed three wickets in first six overs after conceding just three runs. Hazlewood ripped through Warriors top-order dismissing Marsh brothers in the form of Shaun Marsh (2) and Mitchell Marsh on nought.

Pertinently, Hazlewood was making his return after returning from a side strain which he picked in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka when Australia toured subcontinent for the two-match Test series.

However, the prominent face in the Australian fold saw his figures of three for 24 in 13 overs at the stumps of day three at Hurstville Oval.

Josh Hazlewood, Support, Hilton Cartwright, Vacant Position, First-Choice, Ashes 2017-18, JLT Sheffield Shield.
Hazlewood to partner Starc with the first Test in Brisbane on November 23. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

As Australian skipper, Steven Smith has a lot to look after before wrestling in the traditional series, the Cricket Australia (CA) selectors on the other side have a keen eye on the promising prospects to fill in vacant positions.

Cartwright played two Tests for Australia which saw the best of 37, was hopeful to deliver big, to impress the selectors in the premium domestic competition. Fresh to the international fold, Cartwright has already aimed to give his best in a bid to cement his place in the Australian line-up which according to him would be a great honour for a long-format specialist.

Also Read: (Watch: Mitchell Starc Sizzles Western Australia with Hat-Trick on Ashes 2017-18 Preparations)

(The Ashes 2017-18: James Anderson Ready to Take up Vice-Captaincy for Ashes if Offered the Role)

VIDEO OF THE DAY:

Cartwright, who made his Test debut in Sydney against Pakistan earlier this year featured in his second Tests against Mushfiqur Rahim-led Tigers.

On the other side, Cartwright also played two One-day internationals against India in which he scored just two.

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