Nic Maddinson’s remarkable return to Test cricket has begun with a rusty knock, with the Aussie opener dismissed for a 33-ball duck in the first Test against South Africa.

Maddinson on Friday opened Australia’s innings alongside Travis Head in Durban. He was at the crease for 49 minutes, but failed to score a run before being bowled by Marco Jansen,

Watch Australia’s Tour of South Africa Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports.

According to cricket analyst Ben Jones, Maddinson’s stay at the crease was the third-longest duck by an opener in Test history.

“They (South Africa’s bowlers) worked him over, ball after ball after ball, giving him nothing to score off. And then when they bowled a bad one, it was very wide and he basically couldn’t reach it. So in the end he was suffocated and became a victim of his own determination, yes, but also inability to cash in on anything that was there,” SuperSport commentator Mark Nicholas said.

“Thirty-three balls for his nought. I said it was cruel to watch, you think (about) he’s come back having not played Test cricket since 2016, been through illness, he’s had to fight mentally … it was a tough watch.”

Fox Cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe added: “It was a get off-the-mark shot after 33 deliveries.

“Really, to be brutally harsh, he could have got a pair because he was out LBW earlier and eventually got naught.”

PLUM! Maddinson survives after no review | 00:31

O’Keeffe was referring to an incident earlier in Maddinson’s innings where he was struck on the pads by Wiaan Mulder, but the Proteas opted not to review the not out decision. Replays later suggested a review would’ve been successful as it was LBW.

“He’s a proactive player, he’s a proactive opener … but it was a 33-ball nought here,” O’Keeffe said during the lunch break.

“The South Africans, credit them, they didn’t allow him to get into any rhythm. And then he overplayed the ‘get out’ shot. It was very Travis Head-like, he chopped on trying to hit a ball he may have left but he wanted to get away and get off the mark.”

Mark Waugh, who played 128 Tests for Australia, said Maddinson appeared “nervous” at the crease.

“He missed a few ‘gimme balls’ on leg stump. His technique was slightly exposed … I didn’t like the way he was falling over. His head position was a bit Jake Weatherald-like,” Waugh told Fox Cricket.

“He’ll look back at that and think: ‘I can do better than that.’”

Maddinson was earlier named his first Test appearance in a decade — a decision which had already surprised the Fox Cricket team.

Former all-rounder Brendon Julian said it was a “massive surprise”. O’Keeffe suggested the selection was “controversial” but said Maddinson could be coming back into the Test side at the perfect time.

“It’s controversial, given that he hasn’t played Test cricket for 10 years,” O’Keeffe said.

“But he could be at the peak of his powers.

South Africa’s Marco Jansen bowled out Australia’s Nic Maddinson. Picture: AP Photo/Themba HadebeSource: AP

“He’s much respected within the side.

“He’s a very good player of spin and this pitch is going to spin.”

Waugh said he was also surprised by the decision, believing Cooper Connolly may have been the better option.

“I thought Connolly, I would have played him at five,” Waugh said.

“I’m happy that Nic Maddinson is there as cover for whatever happens, but I think Connolly’s a bit unlucky, because he offers left-arm spin as well. He’s a younger guy, he’s played pretty well in the ODIs.

“Surprises me, but I can understand it.”

Maddinson hadn’t played Test cricket since 2016. His return broke the Australian record for the most Tests missed between appearances, with Maddinson sitting out the previous 90 matches.

Tim Paine and Brad Hogg previously shared the record, having both missed 80 Tests between appearances for Australia.

But Australian captain Pat Cummins backed the decision, saying Maddinson is in a much better place with his game heading into his return.

“I think he’s really settled with where his game’s at,” Cummins said.

“He’s shown good form.

“No one in Australia’s had a lot of cricket in the last six months, but I feel like he’s really well placed.”

READ MORE

AUS V SA LIVE: Aussies make shock selection call in top order shuffle as Cummins scores early win

CAMERON BANCROFT: Startling act after sandpaper disaster… and bombshell claim behind ugly conspiracy calls

Australia’s Nic Maddinson is hit by a delivery from South Africa’s Marco Jansen. Picture: Marco Longari / AFPSource: AFP

Waugh, meanwhile, explained why Australia may have decided to go left-field rather than turn to some of the other names pushing for a Test recall.

“They don’t want to go with the younger guys because they haven’t made enough runs, they’re not ready,” Waugh said.

“The other guys on the periphery, your McSweeneys, your Handscombs, your Pattersons, no one’s knocked the door down.

“McSweeney averaged 28 last season in Shield cricket, so that’s not enough to be a No. 3 for Australia.”

But despite the surprise around Maddinson’s selection, Waugh believes the Aussies may have made the right call.

“He’s probably the best ball striker, top three ball strikers, in Australia when he’s playing well,” Waugh said.

“He’s had some off-field challenges, rebooted his whole life I think.

“If they get the best out of him, he’s better than the other guys.”

For Maddinson, his return to the Test team is remarkable for reasons much bigger than cricket.

Maddinson was diagnosed with cancer just last year and has previously opened up on some of the toughest moments he faced during his battle, including explaining what was happening to his young son August.

“The hardest part was having to tell August I couldn’t play with him,” Maddinson told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I was just so physically exhausted that I couldn’t get off the couch.

“He understood quite a lot of what was going on. He’s a pretty intelligent kid. He was always rubbing my hair and asking what happened to it.

“We just told him that I was sick, and I was taking some medicine that made my hair fall out. We told him I was going to be OK.”

Now, just over a year on from his diagnosis, Maddinson is back playing Test cricket for Australia in what has been a remarkable comeback.

Even Victorian Sheffield Shield caller Adam White was blown away by the journey back.

“This has to be one of the most extraordinary cricket stories I can remember,” White wrote on X.

But unfortunately for Maddinson, his return to the Test arena didn’t go to plan.

After spending just over 10 overs at the crease without scoring a run, Maddinson’s dismissal sparked some brutal reactions from the cricket world.