Maddinson to join Aussies at Surrey

Powerhouse batsman Nic Maddinson will join Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch at Surrey for England’s domestic 20-over competition, the London club announced today.

Maddinson, and Finch, will play under former Australia batsman and batting coach Michael Di Venuto at Surrey following the T20 tri-series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan in Harare next month.

"It’s a fabulous opportunity to play at a great sporting organisation such as Surrey County Cricket Club and with my Australian counterpart Aaron Finch," said Maddinson. "I also welcome the opportunity of working with Head Coach Michael Di Venuto.

"Having the Kia Oval as our home ground also gives me the chance to play at one of England’s great iconic grounds. Let’s hope I can help Surrey win the title."

While Maddinson has been selected in Australia’s T20 squad to take on England in a sole fixture at Edgbaston later this month and then the tri-series in Zimbabwe, he is currently without a state contract.

Cricket NSW cited the 26-year-old’s declining performances in the JLT Sheffield Shield as the reason he was let go last month, but he could find himself back in blue next summer, albeit a different shade.

Cricket Victoria has shown interest in signing Maddinson for the JLT One-Day Cup, with the left-hander likely to make the move south and play in Melbourne’s Premier Cricket competition to push his case.

"He'll be a fair chance of being in our JLT Cup squad given we'll have a few players away," Victorian selector Andrew Lynch told cricket.com.au last month.

"Without guaranteeing it, we've said to him that he's more than likely a very good chance of making that squad.

"It appears he's quite happy with that. I don't know if he's totally committed to coming just yet.

"We didn't have a contract spot for him, but who's to say you can't get a contract upgrade if you play well and play enough games?"

A move south makes further sense given Maddinson signed a three-year deal with Melbourne Stars after spending seven seasons in magenta at Sydney Sixers.

At the Stars, Maddinson will link up with long-time friend Adam Zampa, who says Stars head coach Stephen Fleming could prove pivotal in returning the damaging left-hander to the form that saw him make his Test debut two summers ago.

"I reckon he’s going to fit in really well at the Stars," Zampa told cricket.com.au.

"Stephen Fleming is going to be really good managing Nic.

"Not getting a contract at Cricket NSW is going to be really disappointing for him but he’s a student of the game, he just wants to get better.

"Playing under 'Flem' we’re going to see the best of Nic Maddinson."