Hilton William Raymond Cartwright, born on February 14, 1992, is an Australian international cricketer with Zimbabwean roots. He has made a name for himself as a right-handed all-rounder and has been a key player for Western Australia and the Melbourne Stars. Cartwright’s journey to becoming an international cricketer is marked by determination and hard work.
Early Life and Relocation
Hilton Cartwright was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and spent his early years in Marondera. However, at the age of 11, his family made the life-changing decision to emigrate to Australia after their tobacco farm in Zimbabwe was occupied. The move was prompted by changing circumstances, but it set Cartwright on a path to cricketing stardom.
Cartwright recalled, “I don’t remember a huge amount of the bad side of Zimbabwe. I remember living on a farm. Our cousins were down the road. It was only in the last year or so when we had to move out of our farm home and live with my mum’s side of the family in Harare was when my perspective started to change.”
The family eventually settled in Perth, Western Australia, where Hilton Cartwright attended Wesley College.
Cricket Journey Takes Shape
Upon his arrival in Perth, Hilton Cartwright quickly caught the attention of the local cricketing community with his impressive skills. He was selected for the under-13 South Perth Cricket Club district team, where he showcased his batting prowess by averaging 34 in his debut season. After three more successful seasons, he made his grade-cricket debut in third grade, making an unbeaten 50.
Cartwright’s talent extended to representing Western Australia at the 2008–09 Australian Under-17 Championships. Over the years, he progressed to the state’s under-23 side in the Futures League, making his debut in February 2012.
The cricketer’s self-perception went through changes as he began as a batting all-rounder and later incorporated his skills as a bowler. He faced the challenge of keeping his identity as a batting all-rounder despite periods of poor batting form.
At the grade cricket level, he showcased his abilities while playing for the South Perth Cricket Club. Cartwright’s cricketing journey expanded beyond Australian borders as he also held British citizenship. He spent the 2010 English season playing for Sidmouth in the Devon Cricket League.
Cartwright reflected on his journey, saying, “I used to think ‘I’m always going to play for Zimbabwe,’ but since moving to Australia I’ve actually never thought about playing for the English.”
Domestic Career
Hilton Cartwright’s rise in Australian domestic cricket was marked by several significant moments:
- In the 2012–13 season, Cartwright made his debut for Western Australia’s team in the Ryobi One-Day Cup against Victoria. He batted at number seven and took a single wicket, showing his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
- In the same season, he debuted for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, where he played a pivotal role in the team, top-scoring with 17 runs.
- In 2013, Cartwright made his first-class debut for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, marking his entry into longer-format cricket.
- He continued to impress in various domestic competitions, notably in the Sheffield Shield, where he consistently contributed with both bat and ball.
- In 2015, he was selected to play for the Cricket Australia XI, where he was named Man of the Match in a Matador Cup game.
- Cartwright’s performances in the Sheffield Shield included notable innings against South Australia, Queensland, and South Australia, as he displayed his batting prowess.
- In 2016, he made a significant mark by scoring a century for Australia A against a touring India A side.
International Debut and Recognition
Hilton Cartwright’s international journey began in the latter part of 2016:
- He was added to Australia’s One Day International (ODI) squad for a series against New Zealand, with selectors highlighting his abilities as an all-rounder.
- In December 2016, he was added to Australia’s Test squad, which was a testament to his growing reputation as a batting all-rounder.
- On January 3, 2017, Cartwright received his baggy green cap and made his Test debut for Australia in a match against Pakistan. He replaced Nic Maddinson and made a valuable contribution to Australia’s victory.
- Despite his slow-paced bowling, his consistent improvement and reliability as a batsman made him a valuable asset to the Australian team.
Hilton Cartwright’s international journey faced ups and downs, but his hard work and determination continued to shine on the domestic circuit.
Playing for Middlesex and The Hundred
In 2018, Cartwright took his cricketing journey to England by signing with Middlesex for the summer season. His performances included notable moments like taking four wickets against Glamorgan.
In April 2022, he was acquired by the Oval Invincibles for the 2022 season of The Hundred in England, marking another exciting chapter in his cricketing journey.
Conclusion
Hilton Cartwright’s journey from Zimbabwe to becoming an Australian international cricketer is a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him a sought-after all-rounder. As he continues to make strides in domestic and international cricket, cricket enthusiasts eagerly watch his journey unfold.
