ZIMBABWE looks set to lose an upcoming cricket player, with unheralded Hilton Cartwright setting his sights on playing for Australia. REPORT BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 20-year-old Marondera-born batsman recently got his breakthrough in the Australian domestic circuit after signing for one of the top franchises, the Perth Scorchers in the lucrative Big Bash Twenty20 league.
Cartwright’s rise to the top of the Australian domestic circuit was recently described by the Australian Sunday Times as a “rags to riches type story”.
Only recently, Cartwright, who moved to Australia from Zimbabwe with his parents, was an Under-17 Western Australia player who was unable to win selection to the Under-19s.
The talented player, however, improved his game and forced his way into the Western Australia Cricket Association Development Squad, before starring for Western Australia in the Futures League and earning himself a Western Australia Ryobi Cup call-up in November.
“My first game for WA (Western Australia) was a big step,” he said recently.
“Since I was five, I was playing with dad in the backyard in Zimbabwe. It had always been my goal to play for Zimbabwe, but when our situation changed and we came here, I wanted to get that Baggy Green (Australian shirt) and these are my first steps playing for Western Australia and the Scorchers.
“I’ve had a few bumps along the way, but I’ve worked through and earned my spot.
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“Each game and training session I go through I’ve felt more a part of the squad. With Justin Langer coming in, he’s made me feel at home and worked a lot with me.”
Should he succeed in his bid to represent Australia, Cartwright would have followed in the footsteps of Zimbabwe-bred rugby star David Pocock, who is now the Wallabies captain.
In cricket terms, he would have joined other players like Gary Balance, Sean Ervine and Colin de Grandhomme who have opted to try their luck elsewhere than play for Zimbabwe.
