Hilton Cartwright may be considered one of Australia's most left-field selections in years but Glenn Maxwell has praised his potential to be a mainstay in the green and gold.
Cartwright is in the running to make his one-day international debut in Australia's series opener against New Zealand at the SCG on Sunday.
After just 15 first class and 27 List A matches, the West Australian has been named as one of four allrounders in the 14-man squad for the three-game series against the Black Caps.
While his selection raised eyebrows and sent fans clamouring to search his name on google, fellow allrounder Maxwell says he's made of the right stuff.
The 24-year-old finished last season's Sheffield Shield season with the second highest batting average (69.16, 409 runs from nine innings including three not outs).
Maxwell, who is vying with Cartwright, James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh for a spot in the Australian XI, branded the Zimbabwe-born medium pacer as a player of enormous potential, which was backed up when he made a century for Australia A earlier this year.
"Guys like Hilton Cartwright... to get his opportunity to play and be a part of this squad in general, it's an amazing experience," Maxwell said.
"To be in his first Australian tour, to get this opportunity at this stage of the season, whether he plays or not, it's going to set him up for the rest of the season.
"If he does get an opportunity I know he's going to play well, he's a very good young player."
