Sydney: Nic Maddinson has completed one of cricket’s most inspiring comebacks, earning a recall to Australia’s Test squad for the series in South Africa after recovering from testicular cancer diagnosed last year.
The 34-year-old, who played three Tests in late 2016, was diagnosed in April 2025 with testicular cancer that had spread to his lung and lymph nodes. He completed chemotherapy in July 2025 and was cleared to resume his career eight weeks after his final round of treatment. He has not played first-class cricket since the diagnosis but struck 126 for New South Wales against Victoria in the domestic one-day competition on Sunday.
Injuries force reshuffle
Maddinson and uncapped Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper have been added as cover for Josh Inglis, who fractured his right index finger and will miss the first Test in Durban on October 9. Harper, 29, made 128 for Australia A against India A in Puducherry and amassed 677 runs in the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season.
“Sam give us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order,” said chair of selectors George Bailey. All-rounder Cameron Green is also a doubt for the opener after sustaining a lower abdominal strain in the final ODI.
A decade-long wait
Maddinson’s last Test appearance came in the 2016 Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Selectors view the left-hander as a flexible middle-order option rather than a specialist opener, and his experience — he averaged 52.37 in Shield cricket between 2018 and 2024 — could prove valuable in South African conditions. He has also been named captain of New South Wales for the coming domestic season.
The road back
Maddinson’s journey back to the fringes of Test cricket has been anything but straightforward. After the cancer diagnosis, even a return to professional cricket seemed distant, let alone an international recall. His five Big Bash appearances for Sydney Thunder last season were the first steps, and being named New South Wales captain for the coming season — despite missing Shield cricket last summer — underlined how highly he is regarded.
Selectors see him as a flexible middle-order option rather than a specialist opener, a role that suits a touring squad needing cover in multiple positions. With Inglis sidelined and Green doubtful, Maddinson could yet add to his three Test caps a decade after his debut.
