Former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting believes selectors have already decided on the No.6 spot for the first Ashes Test in 10 days time.
Debate has raged for the past few months over which batsman should be given the nod at No.6, with several different players, including Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh and Hilton Cartwright all trialled there at different times this year.
Despite another round of Sheffield Shield to be completed before the first Test, Ponting believes sectors have already decided to go with all-rounder Cartwright for the first Test against the old enemy.
Ponting told cricket.com.au Cartwright's inclusion in the Sydney Test against Pakistan last summer and his recall in Bangladesh was an indication he would be picked for this year's Ashes.
"I think it's going to be hard for them (the selectors) not to pick Cartwright," Ponting said.
"He averages 50 in first-class cricket, none of the other guys (in the running for the number six berth) around the country are doing that.
"I know he got a pair in the last Shield game, but he also played the last Test in Australia, in Sydney last year.
"So someone is seeing something there.
"I thought it was a shock selection when he got picked in Sydney last year, but maybe that was a bit of an audition for what this summer looks like.
"They jumped at the opportunity to play (him) opening the batting in the one-day series in India just gone, when he went as a spare batter.
"So unless something extraordinary happens this week in this last round of Shield games, then I think Cartwright will be the man at six."
Cartwright, who made his First-Class debut in 2013, averages 50.81 with the bat, hitting 1575 runs and four centuries in 25 matches.
