Australia recall Nic Maddinson for South Africa Test after testicular cancer recovery

Australia turn to Maddinson after cancer battle

Australia have recalled Nic Maddinson for the first Test against South Africa after the New South Wales batter made a full recovery from testicular cancer.

Maddinson, 34, and uncapped Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper have been added to the touring squad as cover for Josh Inglis, who will miss the series opener with a fractured right index finger.

Maddinson played three Tests for Australia in late 2016 and was diagnosed with testicular cancer — which had spread to his lung and lymph nodes — in April 2025. He completed a course of chemotherapy in July 2025 and was given the all-clear to resume his career eight weeks after his final round of treatment.

He has not played first-class cricket since his diagnosis, but he made five appearances in last season's Big Bash League and scored 126 for New South Wales against Victoria on Sunday in Australia's domestic one-day competition.

Harper, 29, made 128 for Australia A against India A in the ongoing unofficial Test in Puducherry this week and scored 677 runs in the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season.

"Sam gives us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order," said Australia chair of selectors George Bailey.

All-rounder Cameron Green is a doubt for the first Test after he sustained a lower abdominal strain while batting in the last of the three ODIs that preceded the red-ball series. Cricbuzz reported that both Green and Matt Renshaw had "suffered a scare" during the ODIs, with Inglis already ruled out of the opening Test.

Inglis's injury will be monitored before a possible return for the second Test in Gqeberha. The three-match series begins in Durban on Friday, 9 October.

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

South Africa (preliminary): Temba Bavuma (capt), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.