Sheffield Shield: Western Australia all-rounder Hilton Cartwright welcomes second child mid-game

West Australian all-rounder Hilton Cartwright has welcomed his second child in the early hours of Tuesday morning, then returned to the crease at the WACA Ground.

Cartwright’s wife Tameka gave birth early Tuesday, believed to be around 3am, hours after the WA batter left the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at the tea break on day two to be at the hospital.

He was on 52 when he retired on Monday and resumed after the dismissal of Cooper Connolly — WA’s first wicket of the morning — on day two.

He added 13 runs before being dismissed for 65 in WA’s 332.

Cartwright said he played the match because it was not expected to align with the birth. He also revealed Tasmania was made aware of the situation after their first innings ended.

“My wife Tameka was only just 37 weeks pregnant so this match against Tassie was never meant to be effected by the birth of our second child which is why I chose to play,” he said.

“She experienced some complications over the weekend which led to a call from the obstetrician yesterday once I had already got to the ground.

“She recommended that the best course of action for the safety of mum and baby was to be induced that afternoon.

“Tasmania was made aware of this situation during the innings break.

“Between myself, the coaches and Sam, we had a plan in place surrounding the time I needed to leave the ground at the tea break in the hope of returning to the crease at a later point in the innings.”

Cartwright and Josh Inglis pulled WA out of the fire in their first innings after a top-order wobble.

The wicket-keeper passed 100 off 138 balls against Tasmania at the WACA Ground on Tuesday morning moments after a 161-run partnership with all-rounder Cooper Connolly.