Nic Maddinson faces 33 balls before falling for a duck in Test return

In his first Test for Australia in nearly a decade, opener Nic Maddinson was out for zero after facing 33 deliveries against South Africa in Durban.

The 34-year-old returned to Test cricket for the first time since 2016. He played three matches that season and scored 27 runs. Maddinson was selected for the Durban match as a replacement for the injured Cameron Green. He had previously recovered from testicular cancer, as reported by the ICC and ABC.

His selection had drawn criticism before the series began. Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden questioned the selectors’ decision on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast, arguing that a player averaging 35 in first-class cricket could not be expected to average 55 in Tests. Maddinson’s first-class average is 37.11. Captain Pat Cummins, by contrast, said before the series that Maddinson was settled in his game.

Maddinson came to the crease after Travis Head was dismissed for nine. By lunch, Australia had lost three wickets for 84 runs. South Africa fielded two spinners and brought Anrich Nortje back into the side. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada missed the match while continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury.