Nic Maddinson recalled to Australia Test squad after Cameron Green injury concern
Quick Look
- Nic Maddinson has been called into Australia's Test squad for the series opener against South Africa following Cameron Green's abdominal strain, with Sam Harper added as backup wicketkeeper after Josh Inglis was ruled out with a finger fracture.
- Maddinson, 34, returns after nearly a decade and overcoming testicular cancer, while Green's fitness remains uncertain ahead of the first Test in Durban.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Nic Maddinson last played a Test match on Boxing Day in 2016 and has since overcome testicular cancer to restart his cricket career. Cameron Green suffered an abdominal strain during the third ODI in Potchefstroom, raising doubts about his availability for the Test series opener. Josh Inglis was ruled out with a finger fracture sustained in the series-opening ODI.
Nic Maddinson is within touching distance of a remarkable return to the Test team, after Cameron Green's abdominal strain left him in doubt for the series opener against South Africa.
Selectors confirmed on Thursday night that Maddinson had been called into the Test squad after not featuring in Australia's red-ball side for almost 10 years.
Sam Harper has also been drafted in as a back-up wicketkeeper, with a finger fracture now officially ruling Josh Inglis out of the first Test in Durban starting next Friday.
Inglis was hurt while playing in the series-opening ODI against South Africa last week, with further scans back home in Perth revealing a fracture.
There are now similar concerns around Green following the third ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday after he hurt his abdomen trying to pull a ball while batting in Australia's dead-rubber win.
Australian medical staff will now keep close watch on the allrounder, who will be "assessed further" in the coming week.
Regardless, the latest abdominal injury will raise question marks over Green's ability to bowl, after having not done so yet in a game on this tour.
The one bit of good news for Australia is opener Matt Renshaw has been cleared of a wrist injury after being hurt while fielding in the final ODI.
But the injuries do leave Australia's line-up for the first Test largely up in the air with up to two spots in the top-six unclear if Green is not fit.
Inglis had stood a chance of coming into the side for Marnus Labuschagne if selectors had opted to drop the Queenslander for the series opener.
Maddinson could now fill one of those roles, with Cooper Connolly the other reserve batter in the Test squad.
Maddinson last played a Test on Boxing Day in 2016, and has since overcome a battle with testicular cancer to restart his cricket career.
The 34-year-old did not play a first-class match last summer, but struck 126 for NSW in a one-day match against Victoria last week.
Harper looms as another option, after being called into his first Australian squad at age 29.
The Victorian was the second-leading run-scorer in last summer's Sheffield Shield with 677 at 35.63 and is fresh off hitting a century for Australia A against India A in Pudcherry.
"Sam gives us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery, while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order," chief selector George Bailey said.
Australia will play an intra-squad warm-up match in Potchefstroom this weekend, before moving to Durban on Monday to commence preparations for the first of three Tests.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Nic Maddinson will play in the first Test if Cameron Green is ruled out
Likely · Within days
Sam Harper will serve as backup wicketkeeper for Josh Inglis
Very likely · Within days
Australia will hold an intra-squad warm-up match in Potchefstroom before the first Test
Certain · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Cameron Green be fit to bowl in the first Test?
- Who will Australia select if Cameron Green is unavailable?
- How will the batting order be adjusted with Maddinson and Harper in the squad?
- What is the expected timeline for Cameron Green's recovery?