Cartwright feels he is the all-rounder Australia have been looking for

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Western Australia’s Hilton Cartwright is ready to prove that he is the answer to Australia’s all-rounder woes should he be given the opportunity to make his debut in the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney on Tuesday.

Cartwright was called up to the Test squad for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, but was not selected in the playing XI.

However, with Nic Maddinson having been dropped for the third Test, Cartwright could be looking at an opening for the start of his international career. But, he will have to stave off competition from fellow all-rounder Ashton Agar, who was brought in for the Test match in Sydney with spinner Steve O’Keefe.

“The way it’s been over the last 12, 18 months, there’s been a spot there or thereabouts (for an all-rounder). To get that opportunity, I’ll definitely grab if it if I get it,” Cartwright said on Sunday.

The 24-year-old has an impressive first-class batting average of 44.50, and even though his bowling average leaves a little more to be desired, he is widely tipped to take Maddinson’s place at the Sydney Cricket Ground, especially as he can reduce the workload of the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird.

“I can definitely contribute overs during a game,” Cartwright said. “That’s always been a part of my game. The bowling’s been there. I’ve just been trying to get it to work as close to (as good) as my batting.

“I’m preparing myself for that. So if they say I’m going to be the third seamer, I’m preparing to have that opportunity to contribute 10, 15 overs, whatever it may be, to hopefully try and cement my spot.”

It seems likely that the Zimbabwe-born all-rounder is on track to make his debut on Tuesday, but the only way he would miss out on being picked is if Australia opt to select Agar as an all-rounder or O’Keefe as an extra spinner.