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Australia has called Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper into the Test squad for the South Africa series, with Cameron Green and Josh Inglis both injured.
Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper have been called into the Australian men's Test squad for the series against South Africa, selectors confirmed on Thursday night.
Maddinson's Remarkable Test Return
Maddinson is now within touching distance of a remarkable return to the Test team after Cameron Green's abdominal strain left the allrounder in doubt for the series opener. Maddinson has not featured in Australia's red-ball side for almost 10 years. He last played a Test on Boxing Day in 2016 and has since overcome a battle with testicular cancer to restart his cricket career. The 34-year-old is no doubt a feelgood story, but the decision has baffled some fans.
Sam Harper has been drafted in as a back-up wicketkeeper after a finger fracture officially ruled Josh Inglis out of the first Test in Durban starting next Friday. Inglis was hurt while playing in the series-opening ODI against South Africa last week, with further scans back home in Perth revealing a fracture. There are now similar concerns around Green following the third ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
He hurt his abdomen trying to pull a ball while batting in Australia's dead-rubber win. Australian medical staff will keep close watch on the allrounder, who will be assessed further in the coming week. The latest abdominal injury will raise question marks over Green's ability to bowl, after he has not done so yet in a game on this tour.
Australia's Test Line-Up Uncertainty
The one bit of good news for Australia is opener Matt Renshaw has been cleared of a wrist injury after being hurt while fielding in the final ODI. The injuries leave Australia's line-up for the first Test largely up in the air, with up to two spots in the top-six unclear if Green is not fit.
Inglis had stood a chance to come into the side for Marnus Labuschagne if selectors had opted to drop the Queenslander for the series opener. Maddinson could now fill one of those roles, with Cooper Connolly the other reserve batter in the Test squad. The 34-year-old did not play a first-class match last summer, but struck 126 for NSW in a one-day match against Victoria last week.
He was the second-leading run-scorer in last summer's Sheffield Shield with 677 at 35.63 and is fresh off hitting a century for Australia A against India A in Pudcherry. Harper looms as another option after being called into his first Australian squad at age 29. Chief selector George Bailey said: Sam gives us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery, while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order. Not everyone has welcomed the selections.
Selectors Face Fan Criticism
Radio presenter Sam Tugwell said: We've officially reached farcical levels at Test selection now. No first class cricket in last 18 months, but one good dig in the One day Cup last week, and apparently that's enough. Full respect to Nic's journey to return to cricket after battling cancer, commendable in its own right, but George Bailey has sent a dangerously discouraging message to the toiling masses in the Sheffield Shield.
Another fan suggested Jason Sangha, Nathan McSweeney, Caleb Jewell, Ollie Peake, Campbell Kellaway and even Kurtis Patterson would be better options than these two. Another wrote: Why would they not add Peake? Or Jas Sangha, at least made tough runs in two Aus A games. Australia will play an intra-squad warm-up match in Potchefstroom this weekend before moving to Durban on Monday to commence preparations for the first of three Tests.
7NewsSydney
abcnews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Nic Maddinson Australia Cricket South Africa Test Cricket Team Selection Sam Harper Australia Test Squad Cameron Green Injury South Africa Series
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