Middlesex sign Australian Hilton Cartwright

26-year-old Cartwright - who has played two Tests for his country - will be available for Middlesex’s opening County Championship matches. The club say the deal can be extended "should this be in the interest of both parties"

Middlesex have announced that Hilton Cartwright will join the club for the beginning of the 2018 season, subject to approval by Cricket Australia. 

26-year-old Cartwright - who has played two Tests for his country - will be available for Middlesex’s opening County Championship matches. The club say the deal can be extended "should this be in the interest of both parties".

He will join Middlesex ahead of their first first-class match of the season, against Durham MCCU at Merchant Taylors’ School.

The Western Australia allrounder averages 43.60 in 33 first-class cricket, the allrounder has hit five centuries and 10 fifties, and taken nineteen wickets in 33 matches.

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."

^{Cartwirght in action for Western Australia}