(Photo: Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

Hilton Cartwright is set to join Middlesex for their first round of County Championship matches, subject to approval by Cricket Australia.

The 26-year-old was among the leading contenders for Australia’s troublesome no. 6 spot prior to the Ashes after fine form in the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia.

With winter now approaching in Australia, Cartwright will taste English conditions at the Home of Cricket this summer with the potential for the deal to be extended.

Middlesex confirmed in a statement: “Middlesex Cricket is delighted to announce that Australian Hilton Cartwright will be joining the club for the start of the 2018 season, subject to approval by Cricket Australia.

“Cartwright will be available for selection in Middlesex’s opening County Championship matches of the season, with potential to extend his stay beyond should this be in the interest of both parties.”

With two Test caps to his name, Cartwright joins Middlesex with considerable pedigree in the first-class format, averaging 43.60 and scoring five hundreds in 33 matches.

Talking of the deal, Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “Our initial policy was to go into the season without an overseas player, but this situation has changed on the back of injuries to batsmen in the squad and the ECB’s decision to rest Dawid Malan for our opening two games of the season.

“On the back of these events it was felt that we could do with bolstering our batting line-up in the early part of the season, and after conversations with Adam Voges and Justin Langer we believe that Hilton will do just that.

“How much cricket he plays for Middlesex will depend on a number of factors – injuries, England decisions, and the form of players at the start of the season.

“Assuming there are no logistical issues we expect him to play against Durham MCCU on Saturday.”