32-year-old Australian and Melbourne Stars batsman Hilton Cartwright stunned the cricket world with his absolutely gigantic six on Saturday, January 4.
Hilton Cartwright smashed his massive maximum off the delivery of 30-year-old all-rounder Tom Rogers during the 23rd match of the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) between Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Also read: Watch: Steve Smith lists his top 10 Test centuries as he approaches the 10,000-run milestone
Hilton Cartwright leads Melbourne Stars to epic win
Melbourne Stars won the toss and invited Melbourne Renegades to bat first. The Stars bowling unit did a good job overall and managed to restrict the opposition to 168/7 in 20 overs.
In search of the target, the Stars lost three quick wickets, but Ben Duckett steadied the innings with his brilliant 50, while Marcus Stoinis scored a brilliant 48 runs that kept the Melbourne Stars in the game.
After that, Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright took charge, and with 10 runs needed off the last over, the latter hit a monstrous six and four to seal a 5-wicket victory.
On the third ball of the 20th over, Tom Rogers tried to bowl a yorker outside off but missed by a shade. Cartwright stayed back and hit the ball full force for a big six.
The ball went straight to second level over long-on, and seeing the ball fly, even Cartwright was surprised when he made an ‘O’ in his mouth. The crowd went wild after the kick, and after a few minutes it was revealed that Hilton Cartwright had smashed a six from 121 metres.
See: Hilton Cartwright 121-m six
BIG HILTON!
That’s huge. Six from 121 meters from Hilton Cartwright. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/zCY6uNYyNB
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 4, 2025
Three times I have connected – Ben Duckett on Hilton Cartwright’s six
Ben Duckett was awarded man of the match for his 67 runs off 49 balls and, speaking after the game, praised Hilton Cartwright and Glenn Maxwell for their last-overs fireworks that helped the Melbourne Stars to victory. He elaborated:
“It was tough at the start, I was really stuck and I wanted to be there at the end. I didn’t go that way but luckily they had them (Cartwright and Maxwell). That’s the depth of strength we have. We know we always had it and we wanted it Stoinis played beautifully, he took all the pressure off me.
While talking about Hilton Cartwright’s massive six, Ben Duckett said the batsman has exceptional skills and is practicing huge maximums in the nets. He stated:
“(On Cartwright six in the last over and how big it was) Three times as I connected (laughs). Going in, trying to hit fours and sixes on this wicket, exceptional skills and we’re so grateful they could do that. In the nets, he (Cartwright? hits them a long way and I’m so glad he did today.”
Ben Duckett went on to talk about his batting plans and said he is sticking to his strengths and added that he is not looking at his stint in the BBL as practice for the Ashes in Australia. He stated:
“Put the ego out, I can’t do some of the things the big boys do and try to stick to what I can do. Luckily I could avoid the sweep. (On Ashes in Australia) It’s a long way off. I’m trying to focus on what’s in front of me (On Hopes Starsa) We played good cricket, we didn’t do it all the way, but winning games like that is so big in competitions. If we keep going, keep this momentum going, we’ll keep believing.”
