Josh Hazlewood backs Hilton Cartwright for the number 6 slot

One-third of the Australia’s potent pace attack, Josh Hazlewood, backed Western Australia all-rounder Hilton Cartwright for the debatable number 6 slot in the Australian lineup ahead of the Ashes despite causing carnage by claiming the wickets of the two hopefuls for the spot.

Hazlewood caused mayhem in the WA camp with his new ball spell for the New South Wales where he picked up 3 wickets and conceded just 3 runs in six overs he bowled. Hazlewood himself has looked in fine nick in the Sheffield Shield trophy, on his trail back to competitive cricket after sustaining a side strain injury during the First Test in Bangladesh.

Hazlewood dented the hopes of Cartwright for selection as there have been several hopefuls for the coveted number six position for Australia in the Ashes, featuring Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Daniel Hughes and Hilton Cartwright himself. However, Hazlewood reckons that Cartwright should be Australia’s first choice Test no. 6.

“His first-class numbers are pretty good. Really good actually. He has obviously done the work for the last few years in Shield cricket and probably deserves his chance if he gets it,” claimed Josh Hazlewood according to News.co.au.

Maddinson and Head also in line for the number 6 spot

However, the job of the selectors has become tougher with each of the candidates yet to cross the 100 run-mark in the opening rounds of the Sheffield Shield. The other names to look at for Chief Selector Mark Waugh are Nic Maddinson and Kurtis Patterson who are yet to cross 50 this season. The name of Travis Head would also be looked at as he scored 67 at the MCG.

The only centurions from the second round have been South Australia’s Jake Lehmann and Victoria’s Marcus Harris — who are both not expected to be in Ashes contention.