By Matthew Treadwell|skysports.com
Australia have called up uncapped Zimbabwe-born all-rounder Hilton Cartwright to their squad for the second Test against Pakistan which begins at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day.
The 24-year-old comes into a 13-man squad to provide cover for a bowling attack which had to cope with a heavy workload for the first Test victory in Brisbane.
Cartwright, who was named in Australia’s one-day squad for last month’s three ODIs against New Zealand, is given the chance to impress ahead of the more established Mitchell Marsh and Moises Henriques.
“We wanted to give ourselves the option of including an all-rounder in Melbourne to ease that workload somewhat,” said interim national selector Trevor Hohns.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Darren Lehmann offered his support to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who struggled behind the stumps and with the bat in the first Test.
“Even though he hasn’t got any runs at the moment, he’s been working pretty hard with that,” said Lehmann.
“His keeping in [the] game [at the Gabba] – he’d like to keep better obviously, but I thought he’s improved his keeping out of sight in the last 12-18 months.
“Matthew’s got the chance to nail down the spot and we’ll see how he goes in Melbourne.”
Former Yorkshire coach Lehmann was also keen to back batsman Nic Maddinson, who managed knocks of one and four at the Gabba, following his 12-ball duck on debut in last month’s third Test against South Africa in Adelaide, another day-night match.
“We’ve had two pink-ball Test matches, so red-ball Test coming up and we know Nic’s a fine player. He’s just got to believe at this level,” added Lehmann.
