The Australian XI for the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground to start on Tuesday has been announced on Monday morning, with Hilton Cartwright to make his debut and Stephen O’Keefe edging out Ashton Agar and Jackson Bird for the final spot in the side.
Cartwright, who has put up some impressive numbers for both Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers over the last 12 months was brought into the squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
He was overlooked for the biggest match on the Australian calendar though, Nic Maddinson retaining his spot at no.6 for one final chance after some less than impressive showings to begin his Test career.
The selectors’ patience eventually wore thin with the New South Welshman, being dropped from the 13-man squad for the third and final Test of the series against Pakistan.
Cartwright retained his place in the 13-man squad, with Chadd Sayers also making way which allowed Stephen O’Keefe and Ashton Agar to join the squad.
In the XI announced on Monday Morning, Cartwright will make his debut at no.6, taking the all-rounder spot in the side after Mitch Marsh was dropped earlier in the summer – the Australian’s have been without an all-rounder ever since.
The final spot was a three-way race between Agar, O’Keefe and the in-form quick Jackson Bird, but in a hint that the pitch in Sydney is going to take plenty of turn, and in preparation seemingly for Australia’s upcoming tour of India, O’Keefe won out for the final spot.
He will join Nathan Lyon in a two-pronged spin attack, something that should become the accepted normal for the Aussies when they tour India in February.
Agar joins the final member of the 13-man squad, Jackson Bird on the sidelines for this match as Australia chase the series white-wash.
Australian XI for Third Test vs Pakistan
David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Hilton Cartwright, Mitchell Starc, Steve O’Keefe, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
With AAP
Bakkies
Guest
Watch the David Pocock doc on the Australian Story. It will give you an indication of what it was like for Zimbabweans who had to leave their homeland and make a new life in Australia. Pocock and his two brothers had to change their accents so they could fit in at school in Brisbane.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
This side feels good, who knows how Cartwright will go but at least he has some stats and form behind him. O'Keefe naturally had to finally get his go. We can't talk about Lyon being on the precipice forever, if there's a better option we have to see it. As said earlier you'd have to think they'll be together for the next five tests, suiting our requirements for India and playing off for the spot in the first Ashes test. The timing is excellent.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It doesn't pay to bad mouth the captain in the press.
qwetzen
Guest
Don't worry about the lack of criticism. It'll come just as soon as he's batted and Taylor squeezes into a commentary chair...
jameswm
Roar Guru
Is he even playing FC cricket? Victoria wouldn't pick him earlier on because Wade doesn't like him.
Paul Giles
Guest
Matt, the 2nd best all rounder for W.A played 20 tests, the best all rounder just got promoted to the test team. Hilton Cartwright has the 2nd best batting ave outside the test team behind Adam Voges, I think he deserves a chance. Mitchell Marsh ave 25 in first class cricket would suggest he is lucky to even play for W.A in the shield.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Couldn't agree more, Bas. he has good batting figures and can bowl a few over. We need a specialist batsman at 6.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Maxwell isn't taking wickets or scoring runs in first class cricket. How can he be looked ta for a test spot?
Captain Grumpy
Guest
Nice. If he can reach double figures and take the odd catch, we might have our long-term keeper.
Nudge
Guest
I wouldn't be too fussed about that shot at the MCG JGK. If he had of played all around a straight one and was bowled that would be more of a concern. Instead he attempted a slog sweep an obvious rush of blood and he doesn't have to many of those
Rob JM
Guest
Cartwright has a bowling average lower than his batting average. That counts as an alrounder to me!
Rob JM
Guest
Quick runs were the order of the day, so Renshaw probably played that shot a little earlier than he normally would. I would expect marsh to take his spot in india, but he might get a chance if khawaja fails.
James Jackson
Guest
I'm hoping Renshaw's big stride to smother turn will help him in India, maybe he should take a leaf out of Hayden's book and play there in the off season? Cartwright is an established batsmen that can expand his bowling skill set, which is what we need more right now than a Mitch Marsh type who can bowl beautifully but hasn't put it together as a batsman yet.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd say very few are calling him an all rounder. He is a batsman (an in form batsman) who happens to bowl well enough to be able to provide a chop out to the main bowlers should that be required. The only people calling him an all rounder are those wanting to criticize his selection as an all rounder.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd expect he would learn far more from Nathan Lyon about spin bowling. Hilton Cartwright's medium pace darts might be enhanced by a few SOK conversations.
Jameswm
Guest
And if it's SOK, then Maxie becomes an option at 6 because he spins it the other way.
JGK
Roar Guru
They might still open with Marsh and leave Renshaw out on the subcontinent where India always open with a spinner. His dismissal at the MCG was not encouraging.
Basil
Guest
Cartwrights numbers do not suggest that he's an allrounder. What they do suggest is that he is a good enough batsman to bat top 6 and chip in with some overs to give the 4 bowlers a chop out. To me on a spinners wicket, this is fine as the spinners should be bowling the bulk of the overs. This is a good XI that can not only beat Pakistan but also be a good trial before India.
Armchair Expert
Guest
As you know Don, O'Keefe has had over a decade of success in shield cricket and plenty of advice to pass on to young Agar in the nets in Sydney, I'm sure your scorchers can cover his loss.
Basil
Guest
Who are you referring to?