Australia National Cricket Team chief selector George Bailey has opened up on handing a Test recall to Nic Maddinson. The New South Wales batter was added to Australia's Test squad for the South Africa tour, bringing him back into the national setup nearly a decade after his last Test appearance.
Maddinson had not played a first-class match for 19 months and was not initially expected to feature in Australia's plans. However, injuries in the Australian camp led to his recall.
Maddinson's return to the Test squad has come through an unusual route. He did not play Sheffield Shield cricket during the 2025-26 season after undergoing successful treatment for testicular cancer, and his most recent competitive cricket has come through grade cricket, the BBL and the One-Day Cup.
His recent absence from first-class cricket was not the only reason the selection attracted attention. Maddinson endured a difficult period that included an ACL injury, an arm injury and his cancer diagnosis. He had previously established himself as one of the more productive Shield batters, averaging 52.37 between December 2018 and March 2024.
Notably, the selectors also considered Kurtis Patterson for selection but later locked in on Maddinson.
I don't think you can view this one and say it's disrespectful to state cricket - George Bailey on Nic Maddinson's selection
George Bailey has rejected the suggestion that Maddinson's selection sends the wrong message to Australia's domestic players. The chair of selectors pointed to the batter's previous performances, his standing at NSW and the circumstances that led to the late call-up.
"Certainly, it's a pretty unique set of circumstances that he hasn't been playing first-class cricket. Which I think, in itself, is a pretty cool story, and [it's] great to see him back playing, but [also] just in a place where he's really enjoying it."
Maddinson's appointment as NSW captain was another factor George Bailey referenced while explaining the selectors' view of him.
"I think his elevation this year to the New South Wales captaincy says a lot about the person and how highly he's regarded … he's a good player. That's not to say that others that haven't been picked aren't good players, but I don't think you can view this one and say it's disrespectful to state cricket because he hasn't played last year. I think it's not like a player who's sitting out because he said the wickets were green."
"For the time and place that we are in right now, the conditions we're about to face, and the moving parts that we've had, he's just deemed the best fit. I don't think there's a long list of players that provide that flexibility who can genuinely say that they can do both of those roles," George Bailey said.
Nic Maddinson is a strong player - George Bailey
George Bailey's faith in Maddinson is not based solely on the player's ability to cover different positions. The selectors also believe he is physically and mentally ready for the Test environment after returning to full-time cricket with NSW.
"Yeah, absolutely. That's what he's prepped for. [He] has been back at New South Wales this year, full-time, ready to go. So physically, mentally, [he's] well-placed."
Maddinson's record against spin is another part of his appeal. He averages 47.97 against spin in first-class cricket, and George Bailey expects that skill to potentially become important against South Africa in Durban. He said:
"[Nic] is a strong player, a very strong player, of spin and [that's] not to dismiss work against quick bowling," Bailey said. "Probably from that one-day wicket and looking at their [South Africa's] squad a little bit, I think it's half an expectation that's probably what we're going to get hit with in Durban."
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