Nic Maddinson makes Test return after a decade for Australia in Durban

Nic Maddinson has been named in Australia's playing XI for the First Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, which got underway on October 9, 2026. He will open the batting alongside Travis Head, marking his return to Test cricket roughly a decade after his three previous appearances, all of which came in late 2016.

Maddinson, 34, joins a batting line-up that features Matt Renshaw at No.5 and Beau Webster at No.7. Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first under sunny conditions at Kingsmead.

The comeback carries considerable personal weight. Maddinson was diagnosed with testicular cancer in April 2025, completed a course of chemotherapy by July 2025 and subsequently received medical clearance to return to professional cricket. His most recent first-class appearance before this Test was in March 2025, meaning he stepped onto the field at Kingsmead having been away from that level of the game for approximately 20 months. He was added to Australia's touring party on October 1, 2026, just eight days before the First Test began.

Why was Maddinson selected for the Durban Test?

Two late withdrawals from Australia's squad directly shaped the selection. Cameron Green was ruled out of the First Test after sustaining an abdominal strain during the preceding ODI series against South Africa. He remained in the country with a view to recovering in time for the later matches in the series. Cooper Connolly was also unavailable, having reported symptoms of a head cold in the days before the match.

With both players absent, selectors turned to Maddinson. His appointment as New South Wales captain for the 2026-27 Sheffield Shield season had already signalled that the national selectors considered him fit and ready for high-level cricket, even without a recent first-class match to his name.

This series is the first occasion Australia have played Test cricket on South African soil since the 2018 tour, which became widely known for the ball-tampering controversy. Australia carry a strong record at Kingsmead, having won each of their last three Tests at the ground.

What does South Africa's XI look like for this Test?

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma confirmed his side's XI a day before the match began. The most notable inclusion was pace bowler Anrich Nortje, who returns to Test cricket after an absence of three and a half years. Spinner Simon Harmer has been selected alongside Keshav Maharaj in the bowling attack, while David Bedingham has been asked to bat at No.3, a position he has not previously occupied at Test level.

The hosts are without frontline pace bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, both of whom are sidelined through injury. South Africa nevertheless arrive at Kingsmead in formidable form, having won 13 of their previous 14 Tests. That sequence included a World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord's. Their most recent Test before this series was played in November 2025.