Absent from international cricket for 8 years, Australia batter makes jaws drop in The Hundred with 19-ball 51 featuring 5 sixes

Australia's out-of-favour batter Hilton Cartwright went berserk in the Hundred clash between Southern Brave and Welsh Fire on August 20 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Cartwright smashed five sixes in his unbeaten 19-ball 51 which eventually turned out to be just enough for Southern Brave to register a four-run win.

Cartwright walked in to bat at no.7. Skipper James Vince had fallen to Chris Green and Southern Brave were 71/5 from as many deliveries. The 33-year-old Australian batter provided the much-needed push as he hit a four and a six off the first four balls he faced from Green. The spinner would have dismissed him as well but the terrific effort on the follow-through was not enough.

The wickets falling at the other end did not seem to affect Cartwright. Jaws dropped when he whacked David Payne's delivery out of the park. On the final ball of the innings, Cartwright managed to get two runs and completed his maiden fifty in the Hundred. He hit two fours in his innings as well. Southern Brave managed to post 129/8 on the board.

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In reply, Welsh Fire faltered after a fiery start from Jonny Bairstow. Steve Smith fell to Jofra Archer. Wickets kept falling. Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored at a strike rate below 90 which led to a rise in the required run rate. Welsh Fire lost eight wickets for 125 runs and lost the game by four runs. Archer was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 20 runs. James Coles and Craig Overton picked two wickets apiece in Southern Brave's third win of the season.

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Cartwright in The Hundred 2025 so far

So far, Cartwright has scored 103 runs from four innings in the season at an average of 34.33 and strike rate of 168.85. 

He will have the chance to add to his tally when Southern Brave go up against Kane Williamson-led London Spirit at Lord's, London on August 23.

Cartwright’s long absence from Australia squad 

Zimbabwe-born Cartwright has played two Tests and ODIs each for Australia. In ODIs, he managed to score just two runs from as many innings against India. In Tests, he scored 55 runs from two innings. The 33-year-old hasn't played international cricket since 2017. 

With the amount of firepower in Australian side currently, Cartwright is unlikely to make his T20I debut soon.