Fairytale Maddinson return close with Green injury blow

Andrew McDonald insists Nic Maddinson's Test squad call-up should be no shock, with the left-hander edging closer to replacing the injured Cameron Green in Durban.

Green has been officially ruled out of Australia's side for the opening Test against South Africa, after failing to overcome the abdominal strain suffered in last week's final ODI.

Australia are confident the allrounder will return in the three-Test series, but do not expect to have him bowling given he was also managing a shoulder issue.

That has left the tourists with a call to make between Maddinson and Cooper Connolly, with a dry Kingsmead pitch ahead of Friday a major consideration.

Maddinson's Test squad call-up following a One-Day Cup century and Josh Inglis's fractured finger was a feelgood story, given he beat testicular cancer last year.

But it was also met with surprise and strong criticism from the likes of Matthew Hayden, with the 35-year-old's last Test in December 2016 and most recent first-class appearance 18 months ago.

Maddinson did average 52.37 in the Sheffield Shield from December 2018 to March 2024, before a difficult 2024-25 summer while feeling run down prior to his cancer diagnosis.

"From 2018 to 2024, he was one of the leading players in Shield cricket," McDonald said.

"Anyone that's been on the radar or there or thereabouts, they don't drop off automatically.

"If Nic comes in, he can bat at the top, he can bat in the middle. We feel like he's got some good craft against spin and quality pace. He's been at this level before.

"It may not have been obvious for others, but we felt like he was the player that we needed, in particular with Josh Inglis going out, in terms of his flexibility."

Maddinson was not picked on Australia's recent A-tour of India with McDonald reasoning there was a balance of also taking players for the future.

But he has played six first-class games for Australia A since his last Test.

Sam Harper was also called up as another replacement for Inglis, but the Victorian is more filling the role of a reserve wicketkeeper.

"We're going to get challenged with spin and tours to the subcontinent we've had in the past, Nic's been well and truly in our thoughts for those," McDonald said.

"Lost in all of that has been Sam Harper's story as well with his battles. He missed a lot of cricket with that heavy concussion early in his career.

"That should be the story. It should be exciting for those guys coming into the Test squad, as opposed to potentially negativity around the selection."

McDonald indicated Travis Head would still open rather than move to No.5 to replace Green, while Alex Carey will also remain at No.6.

The potential of a dry Kingsmead also looms, with the expectation spin could become an increasing factor through the Test.

Australia have Matt Kuhnemann in their squad, but have traditionally been hesitant to play a second tweaker ahead of one of their three frontline quicks outside of Asia.

"It would have to be quite compelling for us to shift into two spinners," McDonald said, suggesting they were "open to all options".

McDonald also suggested Connolly's ability to bowl spin would not be a major factor for selectors.

"It would be factored in, but ultimately when you bat in the top six or the top seven, runs are the critically important piece to that," he said.

"We have got some other spinning all-round options, if you want to call it, or part-time bowlers in the top-order there that can pick up some overs if we need be."

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

South Africa's first Test preliminary squad: Temba Bavuma (c), 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

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