Nic Maddinson has returned to cricket after a long battle with cancer, and the 34-year-old batsman has now been called up to the Australian team ahead of the first Test match against South Africa. His return marks a remarkable personal and professional comeback, coming after a period in which his career was interrupted by a serious health challenge.
Josh Inglis will not be able to play in the first match of the three-match Test series against South Africa. Australia will play the first Test starting in Durban on October 9 without him because of a finger injury. Maddinson has been added to the squad as his replacement. Victoria wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Harper has also been included in the team, giving Australia additional cover behind the stumps and in the batting department.
Maddinson was diagnosed with cancer in April 2025. He completed chemotherapy in July of that year. The batsman was cleared to return to cricket eight weeks after completing the final stages of treatment. That clearance opened the door for him to resume playing, and he has since worked his way back into contention for national selection.
Maddinson has not played first-class cricket since being diagnosed with cancer. However, he played five matches in the Big Bash League last season, showing that he could still compete in high-pressure short-format cricket. He also recently played a 126-run innings for New South Wales against Victoria in the one-day format of Australian domestic cricket. That performance served as a strong reminder of his ability and helped strengthen his case for a return to the national set-up.
Maddinson played three Tests for Australia in late 2016. His call-up to the team now means he has a chance of making the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa. Whether he ultimately features in the final eleven will depend on the team management’s assessment of conditions, balance and form, but his inclusion in the squad is already a significant step in his comeback.
The timing of his return is notable. Australia are beginning an important Test series against South Africa, and the first match in Durban will set the tone for the tour. With Inglis ruled out due to a finger injury, the team needed additional batting cover, and Maddinson’s experience and recent domestic form made him a logical choice. Sam Harper’s inclusion also gives the squad flexibility, as he can keep wicket and contribute with the bat if required.
For Maddinson, the call-up represents more than just another selection. It is a reward for the perseverance he showed during treatment and recovery, and it reflects the confidence the selectors have in his ability to compete at the highest level again. His journey from diagnosis to chemotherapy, then to clearance and eventually back into the national squad, is a testament to his resilience. The fact that he has returned to a position where he can be considered for a Test match is a major achievement in itself.
Australia will now prepare for the first Test with a squad that has been adjusted because of Inglis’s injury. Maddinson and Harper will both be part of the group, and the team management will assess their readiness and role as the match approaches. For Maddinson, the opportunity is clear: after a long and difficult period away from first-class cricket, he is back in the national frame and has a chance to add to the three Tests he played in late 2016. His return is one of the most inspiring stories in Australian cricket at the moment, and it adds a human dimension to the build-up to the South Africa series.
