Nic Maddinson’s fairytale call-up to the Test side earned a special nod when he was picked for the Playing XI for the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead here on Friday.
Australia captain Pat Cummins praised Maddinson for his form after Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. “I think he’s really settled where his game is at. He’s shown good form.
South Africa had named their Playing XI a day before the match as Anrich Nortje returned after more than three years, while Kagiso Rabada missed out due to his hamstring injury. Maddinson scored 126 in the One-Day Cup for New South Wales against Victoria on his return and, combined with an injury to Cameron Green, he was called into the national side. Coming to the Playing XIs, Australia have retained Marnus Labuschagne at No.3 after his century in the warm-up fixture, while Steve Smith remains the mainstay.
No Australians have had a lot of cricket in the last six months, but I feel like he’s really well-placed,” Cummins said at toss.
