Pair does not disturb a Hilton upgrade

Magellan Ashes hopeful Hilton Cartwright admits it's make-or-break time for him as he attempts to convince selectors that his recent stutter with the bat was merely an anomaly.

Cartwright appeared to be the frontrunner for the vacant No.6 position in the Test team until he recorded a pair of ducks while batting for Western Australia in their JLT Sheffield Shield loss to NSW last week.

The 25-year-old is confident the nightmare return was merely bad luck, rather than a form issue or inability to deal with the intense pressure.

Cartwright has the chance to back up his words when he fronts up for the Warriors in the Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground, starting Monday.

"I'm not going to dwell too much on it," said Cartwright.

"I'm not the only batter who has got a pair in their life before. There's still another Shield game to prove myself worthy.

"In terms of the Ashes it is (a make-or-break game for me).

"But I'm only 25. If things don't happen this year, I've just got to keep sticking at it. You never know - it might happen in the next Ashes series of whenever it might be.

"But I'm extremely confident in my game. Just one game ago, I made 100 runs for the game. I'm as confident in my game as I have ever been."

Cartwright faces stiff competition for the No.6 berth, with the likes of Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Bancroft, Dan Hughes, Jake Lehmann, Moises Henriques, and Travis Head among the many contenders.

And while the Zimbabwe-born batsman's chances were dented slightly against the Blues, Australia and NSW quick Josh Hazlewood (who trapped Cartwright lbw in the Warriors' first innings) suggested he "probably deserves" to resume his spot at fourth-drop.

"His first-class numbers are pretty good. Really good actually," Hazlewood said during the NSW-WA Shield game.

"He has obviously done the work for the last few years in Shield cricket and probably deserves his chance if he gets it."

Bancroft has also joined the race as an outside chance to land the Test team's wicketkeeper role after starring with bat and gloves against NSW.

The 24-year-old scored 76 not out and 86 against a star-studded Blues attack, and played the entire match as WA's wicketkeeper.

With Peter Nevill, Alex Carey, and Matthew Wade all struggling to make runs, Bancroft could make his case for Ashes selection irresistible if he can post a century against the Redbacks.

But the Ashes hopes of WA paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile are in tatters after he aggravated an old stress fracture in his back.

Coulter-Nile will be rested for several weeks before undergoing more scans.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21