Hilton Cartwright to make Australia debut in Sydney Test against Pakistan

All-rounder Hilton Cartwright will make his debut in Australia's final Test of the summer in one of two changes to the side to face Pakistan in Sydney.

Cartwright and spinner Steve O'Keefe come into the side in place of Nic Maddinson and Jackson Bird after Australia sealed the series win with a victory by an innings and 18 runs in the rain-affected Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

While selectors hope Cartwright can offer more with the bat than Maddinson, who scored just 27 runs in his last four innings, the 24-year-old's medium pace will also provide relief for pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as O'Keefe serves as a second spin option behind Nathan Lyon on a pitch expected to turn.

"I can definitely contribute overs during a game," Cartwright said on the Cricket Australia website. "That's always been a part of my game. The bowling's been there. I've just been trying to get it to work as close to (as good) as my batting.

"I'm preparing to have that opportunity to contribute 10, 15 overs, whatever it may be, to hopefully try and cement my spot."

O'Keefe, who will be playing in his fourth Test, got the nod ahead of all-rounder Ashton Agar.