Nic Maddinson makes record 33-ball duck on Australia Test return

Nic Maddinson’s return to Australia’s Test side ended in a 33-ball duck against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, 9 October. Marco Jansen bowled the opener after he chopped a delivery onto his stumps. BBC Sport and AAP report that no Australian Test opener has faced more balls without scoring, making the innings a record on a difficult opening day for the tourists.

The dismissal adds a new chapter to Australia’s unsettled opening combination. In our earlier report on Australia’s 84 for three at lunch, Maddinson’s duck was already the central development. BBC Sport subsequently reported Australia at 127 for six by the midpoint of day one, with the Test still in progress.

How Maddinson’s 33-ball innings ended

Maddinson, 34, was opening in his first Test appearance since December 2016. He faced 33 deliveries without a run before an attempted cut off Jansen went back onto his stumps. BBC Sport counted 13 misses during the innings and described the duck as the third-longest by any Test opener. AAP also called it the longest by an Australian opener, and the second-longest Australian Test duck at any batting position in records kept by balls faced.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat, according to Reuters. AAP reported that Travis Head also fell early and that Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 37 by Wiaan Mulder on the final ball before lunch. Labuschagne and Steve Smith had put on 60 runs before that wicket. The lunch score was 84 for three; BBC Sport later reported Australia at 127 for six. Those are snapshots from day one, not a completed innings or a match result.

Why Australia recalled Maddinson

Reuters reported that Maddinson joined the squad the previous week as an injury replacement and was named in the team about 30 minutes before play, replacing the injured Cameron Green. AAP said he was chosen to open while Matt Renshaw moved to No. 5. The late decision gave Head a third opening partner in three Tests, according to AAP.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald had pointed to Maddinson’s domestic record when explaining his selection. Reuters reported that Maddinson averaged 52.37 in Sheffield Shield cricket over the six years before his diagnosis and scored a century for New South Wales in the One-Day Cup last month. McDonald said he had been one of the leading Shield players from 2018 to 2024 and cited his ability against spin and quality pace.

The debate over Australia’s opening pair

The choice came amid a broader search for a settled opening partnership. AAP counted eight specialist opening pairings for Australia since David Warner retired in January 2024, excluding nightwatchmen and changes forced by injuries during matches. Maddinson’s selection and Renshaw’s move down the order changed that combination again for the South Africa opener.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden criticised the selection before the match. Reuters reported that Hayden argued for players with stronger first-class records and accused selectors of ‘disrespecting first-class cricket’. AAP reported that Head, responding to Hayden’s criticism, objected to what he saw as a pattern of negative comments from former players. The available report did not quote Head directly on that point.

Maddinson had spoken about his return to batting after treatment. Reuters quoted him as saying after his first net session following remission: ‘For the first time I could bat without a care in the world.’ Friday’s innings establishes the immediate result of his comeback, while his place in later Tests and the outcome in Durban remain to be determined.