Australia captain Steve Smith has been impressed with Hilton Cartwright's improved bowling as the all-rounder prepares to make his Test bow. Cartwright is set to debut against Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sydney on Tuesday after > being included in Australia's XI .
The 24-year-old Zimbabwe-born batting all-rounder - who has only played 16 first-class matches, scoring 890 runs at an average of 44.50 while taking 15 wickets - replaces underperforming batsman Nic Maddinson, with Australia leading 2-0.
Cartwright will help ease the load on pace duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood but Smith is unsure how much bowling will be required, telling reporters on Monday: "[Cartwright is an] extra bowling option to go with the two quicks and the two spinners. It just adds a little bit to the bowling stocks, and he deserves an opportunity to play at No. 6.
'Big grin on his face'
"Greg [Chappell] told him just over at the nets probably half an hour ago. I bumped into him in the change room just now and he seemed pretty excited, a big grin on his face, as you should when you're about to debut for your country. It's a dream come true for everyone that gets the opportunity and hopefully he can take his opportunity with both hands.
"I think he's improved a lot over the last year or so. I remember facing him a little while ago and I think since then he's probably gained 10 kph and got a lot more consistent with his areas. I guess how much we'll use him will depend on how the game goes."
The other change to the team, which stunned Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in Melbourne, is spinner Steve O'Keefe at the expense of paceman Jackson Bird. Bird claimed four wickets in the Boxing Day Test, having taken six in the opening match in Brisbane. Smith added: "I thought he bowled particularly well in Melbourne but, look, conditions sometimes change the team. So, yeah, we've gone with two spinners on this occasion and it's unlucky for Jackson. I thought he did bowl very well last week and he continues to improve."
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