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Cartwright's power world-class: NCN

The Western Australian is up there with the biggest hitters in world cricket

If Nathan Coulter-Nile’s testimony is anything to go by, allrounder Hilton Cartwright could pack a serious punch in Australia’s middle order on the upcoming Test tour of Bangladesh.

Cartwright was the sole seam-bowling allrounder selected in Australia’s 13-man Test squad named yesterday, but whether or not he will play his second match in the Baggy Green will likely come down to team balance.

Quick Single: Australia name 13-man squad for Bangladesh tour

Incumbent No.6 Glenn Maxwell owns the allrounder position at the moment, but should selectors choose to play two specialist spinners, Cartwright’s medium pacers could see him return to the starting XI and perform a similar supporting role with the ball to the one Mitchell Marsh played in the first two Tests on the Qantas tour of India before injury struck.

Classy Cartwright crushes Blues with rapid 170

While it might be his bowling that could be the determining factor, Cartwright is most certainly a batsman first, an explosive batsman with immense power that had Coulter-Nile unable to hide his excitement when talking about his Western Australia teammate.

"I’ve been spruiking Hilts (Cartwright) for so long," Coulter-Nile told cricket.com.au in Sydney.

"Since his (state) debut I reckon I’ve been telling JL (WA coach Justin Langer) to get him in (the XI).

"His technique is actually really sound and I think that’s what you need when you’re playing at the highest form.

"His defence is solid but when he wants to he can flick that switch and hits the ball harder than anyone in world cricket, and I mean world cricket.

"Cricket fans can be excited about what they can see from him."

Cartwright receives his Baggy Green from Moody

Cartwright was a surprise selection when he made his Test debut against Pakistan in January at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he made a solid 37 batting at No.6 and bowled four tidy overs.

The 25-year-old was then overlooked for the Test tour of India, and when Marsh was forced home with a reoccurring shoulder injury, Victoria’s Marcus Stoinis was called up as the replacement allrounder.

Now Cartwright is again the favoured fast-bowling dual threat, one who has a "big future" ahead of him.

"Hilton averages nearly 60 runs in first-class cricket and was the second-highest run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season with 861 runs," National selector Trevor Hohns said Friday.

"He is a quality player who we believe has a big future for Australia and we are very keen to see him carry on his good form in the subcontinent."

Hilton carts one right onto the WACA roof

Cartwright is the product of a well-drilled WA outfit under coach and former Australia opening batsman Langer.

The Warriors missed the Sheffield Shield final by less than two competition points last summer and boast some of the best young talent in the country.

But after years of patience and development, it’s time for WA’s not-so-young guns to step up and go to the next level, according to Coulter-Nile.

And Cartwright is right in that category.

"Having a look out our (WA) squad it’s an unbelievable squad," Coulter-Nile said. "There’s really no excuses.

"JL talked about the rebuilding phase and when he came in he had a lot of young blokes, but those blokes are now 25-26 and have a lot of first-class experience.

"We’ve still got the class players – Maxi Klinger, Shaun Marsh – with the young blokes who are not really that young anymore. They need to put their hand up.

"Someone like Hilton Cartwright. I’d like to see someone like him not have an 800-run year, but have a 1,000-plus run year and really take the Shield or even one-day game apart."

Ponting backs forgotten man Coulter-Nile

Coulter-Nile is back fit and firing after suffering a back injury that saw him miss the entire 2016-17 summer.

The 29-year-old made a successful comeback with Kolkata Knight Riders during this year’s Indian Premier League, his first elite cricket since a one-day international against the West Indies in Bridgetown in June 2016.

While he may be "deconditioned" in terms of physical strength and aerobic fitness, the right-armer is solely focused on getting out on the park after nearly two seasons on the sidelines.

"I missed cricket," he said when asked about his return in the IPL. "I missed playing, being out there and being competitive.

"I was out for so long so when I got back to playing I was so keen for it.

"It took a little bit of time to find my way in terms of skill and execution but the passion was well and truly back.

"It was my second Australian summer I sat out in a row and it’s really ignited me for this season, which is why I didn’t go over and play any T20 cricket in England or county cricket because I really want to be ready for October," he continued.

"It’s so hard seeing the (Australian) team going through the success and the failures they did, especially when you’re on the fringes and you know you could be playing, you could be selected.

"They’re the sort of things you’ve got to put up with. It drives you even more to get back."