‘Baffling selection bears no fruit’: Fans react as Nic Maddinson endures a 'painful' 33-dall duck vs South Africa on Aussie return

‘Baffling selection bears no fruit’: Fans react as Nic Maddinson endures a ‘painful’ 33-dall duck vs South Africa on Aussie return originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Nic Maddinson was bowled for a 33-ball duck on his Test return in the first Test at Kingsmead.

• Fans questioned the selection of a batter who had not played a Test since 2016.

• Australia were 24 for 2 after 10.2 overs against South Africa on day one.

Nic Maddinson’s Test comeback begins with a duck at Kingsmead

Nic Maddinson’s recall had already drawn criticism before a ball was bowled in Durban. Australia added him to their squad on October 1, after Josh Inglis had to withdraw from the first Test with a fractured right finger. The selection arrived with the series against the reigning World Test champions only days away.

Maddinson last played a Test in December 2016, when he made 27 runs in three matches at an average of 6.75. He has scored 7,832 first-class runs at an average of 37.11, with 18 hundreds, but has not played a first-class match in about 18 months. Chair of selectors George Bailey defended the call and pointed to the India series in January and February.

On Friday in Durban, the visitors chose to bat first, and Maddinson opened alongside Travis Head. He faced 33 balls without scoring before Marco Jansen bowled him, chopping the ball onto his stumps. Australia were 24 for 2 after 10.2 overs, with Head also gone for 9, caught behind off Wiaan Mulder.

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How fans reacted to Nic Maddinson’s 33-ball duck

The reaction on social media was quick and harsh. One fan wrote, “SOUTH AFRICA ON TOP! Nic Maddinson bags a painful 33-ball duck 🤯” as the dismissal put the home side in control of the opening session.

Others aimed their criticism at the selectors. One fan mirrored this sentiment as they posted, “What a pointless selection in Nic Maddinson for @CricketAus.” The same user called the move “Dumb. Short-sighted and simply idiotic.”

The fan then named Bailey, head coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide. The post continued, “George Bailey, Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide have rocks in their head. Wasted spot, zero runs and no prior form. #SAvAUS #cricket #southafrica #australia”

A third fan wrote, “The baffling selection of Nic Maddinson bears no fruit. Feel sorry for the guy but looked wildly out of his depth.” The post balanced sympathy for the player with anger at the decision to pick him.

One more fan posted, “Nic Maddinson thrown into the deep end by the selectors. Out for a 33-ball duck.” The post added, “Never looked comfortable. Was plumb LBW earlier as well.” Some others kept their comments short.

One fan in particular wrote, “Oh dear,” as they looked at the infographic of Maddinson’s innings. 

This kind of crashout performance is exactly what the fans and pundits warned against when the opener was first picked by the Aussies a month ago.

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Why the Maddinson selection drew such a sharp response

The anger was less about one duck and more about how the pick was made. Maddinson had gone almost a decade without a Test and about 18 months without a first-class game. Australia asked him to open up against Jansen and Mulder at Kingsmead.

Bailey’s explanation was that Maddinson gives the side flexibility in the batting order and that the pick looks ahead to the India series. That argument is harder to sell after a 33-ball duck in a series opener against the World Test champions.

One innings is a small sample, and the match is still in its early stages. Maddinson will get a second turn at the crease, but Australia will need that innings to look very different if the selection is to be justified.

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