Last Updated on 14 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Nic Maddinson’s selection for Australia’s Test squad raised eyebrows given he has not played a First Class match since March 2025. The left-hander has also not played a Test since 2016.
Maddinson, along with Sam Harper, joined the squad following injury concerns in South Africa, which includes Josh Inglis being ruled out due to a fractured finger. The 34-year-old has enjoyed a strong return to cricket following treatment for testicular cancer last year, including an excellent 126 for New South Wales in the One Day Cup.
But his selection is one of the more surprising calls in recent times.
George Bailey: There is thought behind the Nic Maddinson selection
However, Chair of Selectors George Bailey insists the selection is not disrespectful to First Class cricket. Rather, Maddinson has been on the selectors’ radar, but circumstances haven’t allowed for selection.
“Certainly, it’s a pretty unique set of circumstances that he hasn’t been playing first-class cricket,” Bailey said, as quoted by Cricinfo. “Which I think, in itself, is a pretty cool story, and [it’s] great to see him back playing, but [also] just in a place where he’s really enjoying it.
“If you look across his last three or four years, he’s had some incredible bad luck with an ACL [injury], a bad arm-break … so he’s had periods where he’s been firmly in our thoughts and conversations around some different teams at different times, but it just seems like the cricket world’s conspired against him.”
Bailey also said Maddinson’s elevation to captain at state level played a role in the decision.
“I think his elevation this year to the New South Wales captaincy says a lot about the person and how highly he’s regarded. He’s a good player,” Bailey said.
“That’s not to say that others that haven’t been picked aren’t good players. But I don’t think you can view this one and say it’s disrespectful to state cricket because he hasn’t played last year. I think it’s not like a player who’s sitting out because he said the wickets were green.”
There is also the chance Australia face spin-friendly conditions throughout the South Africa series. Australia struggled against spin in the ODIs, and Durban is a ground where the slower bowlers have played a role in the past.
Maddinson averages 47.97 against spin in First Class cricket, compared to 35.49 against pace.
“[Nic] is a strong player, a very strong player, of spin and [that’s] not to dismiss work against quick bowling,” Bailey said.
“Probably from that one-day wicket and looking at their [South Africa’s] squad a little bit, I think it’s half an expectation that’s probably what we’re going to get hit with in Durban.”
The first Test against South Africa begins on October 9. Whether Maddinson plays could depend on Green’s fitness after the all-rounder picked up an abdominal issue in the third and final ODI.
