[2] He spent his early life in Marondera, but at the age of 11 emigrated to Australia with his family after their tobacco farm was occupied.
It was only in the last year or so when we had to move out of our farm home and live with my mum’s side of the family in Harare was when my perspective started to change.
Cartwright was picked for the under-13 South Perth Cricket Club district team where he had early success, averaging 34 in his first season.
Cartwright represented Western Australia at the 2008–09 Australian Under-17 Championships, and subsequently progressed to the state's under-23 side in the Futures League, debuting in February 2012.
[7] Cartwright also holds British citizenship,[8] and spent the 2010 English season playing for Sidmouth in the Devon Cricket League.
[4] After good form in a Futures League match against the Queensland Academy of Sport, recording a half-century and a five-wicket haul,[10] Cartwright was selected to debut for Western Australia's team for the 2012–13 Ryobi One-Day Cup against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, held on 7 November 2012.
[12] In December 2012, Cartwright was named in the Perth Scorchers' squad for the 2012–13 Big Bash League season, replacing the injured Pat Cummins.
[13] He debuted for the Scorchers in the second match of the competition, against the Melbourne Stars, and top-scored with 17 runs from Perth's innings of 69, the lowest completed score recorded in the tournament.
[14] Cartwright made his first-class debut for Western Australia in January 2013, against New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.
[18] He won man of the match in a Matador Cup game scoring 99 for the Cricket Australia XI against Queensland.
[31][32] Cartwright began the 2016–17 Sheffield Shield competition strongly, scoring 80 against South Australia,[33] 59 against NSW[34] and 84 and 41 (and one wicket) against Qld.
"[38] In December 2016 he was added to Australia's Test squad ahead of the Boxing day match against Pakistan.
"[40] On 3 January 2017 Cartwright was presented his baggy green cap by former Australian cricketer Tom Moody to make his debut in third Test match against Pakistan, replacing Nic Maddinson.
[44] According to one report "Cartwright's balls were sluggish, and not just after he was struck a low blow at short leg.
He is a quality player who we believe has a big future for Australia and we are very keen to see him carry on his good form in the sub-continent.
[56] He made a duck playing as opener in a tour game against the Indian Board XI.
[64] He had a poor 2017-18 Sheffield Shield, although he ended the seasons strong with a man of the match performance against SA, scoring 83 and 111 not out.