Hilton Cartwright returns for second stint with Hampshire Hawks

Big-hitting Australian batter Hilton Cartwright returns to Utilita Bowl for a second stint with Hampshire Hawks.

The 33-year-old joined the club for the latter half of last year’s Vitality Blast and made an instant impact, taking a catch off the second ball of the innings against Sussex Sharks, and completing a direct hit run out as the Hawks beat their local rivals in el clasicoast.

In seven matches, Cartwright smashed 213 runs at an average of 35.50 with a phenomenal strike rate of 197.22.

His two fifties came in the final group match against Essex and 61 off just 31 deliveries in the quarter-final against Durham at Chester-le-Street.

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Delighted

Cartwright said: “I’m delighted to be back with the Hawks for another season. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club last summer.

“Although we missed out on the title, to reach Finals Day more times than any other county is a special feat, and hopefully we can go one step further this time around.”

Against Glamorgan at Utilita Bowl, Cartwright blitzed 48 runs off only 20 balls as the Hawks posted 208.

During his time with the Hawks, Cartwright won five and lost two matches and helped the club to reach Finals Day for a record 11th time.

Impact

Giles White, director of cricket at Hampshire, added: “Having Hilton available for the whole tournament is a huge plus for us.

“He showed last summer that he can clear the ropes in match-defining innings, and we’re looking forward to seeing him bring that same impact to the Utilita again this summer.”

Off the back of his prolific campaign in the Vitality Blast, Cartwright joined Southern Brave for seven matches in The Hundred.

He continued his fine form with 111 runs at a strike rate of 163.23, including 51* off just 19 deliveries against Welsh Fire at Sophia Gardens, as the Brave won by just four runs.

In this winter’s Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, Cartwright has scored 93 runs whilst striking at 136.76 for Melbourne Stars who qualified for the BBL Knockout match.

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