Nic Maddinson sets unwanted record for longest duck by Test opener in 21st century

Australia’s Nic Maddinson bowls on the first day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Australia. (AP photo) Nic Maddinson’s return to Test cricket after almost a decade got off to a disastrous start when the Australian opener endured a 33-ball duck against South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.Maddinson’s 0 off 33 balls is the third longest duck by an opener in Test history. It is also the longest innings for a duck by a Test opener in the 21st century, making it an unwelcome milestone in his return to the national side.The 34-year-old was dismissed after Travis Head fell for nine, putting Australia in early trouble after captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat on the opening day.Maddinson was called into the squad as a replacement for the injured Cameron Green, making his return to the Test squad after overcoming testicular cancer. His previous Test appearance came during the 2016-17 domestic summer when he managed just 27 runs in three matches.However, his recall came under scrutiny before the start of the series when former Australian opener Matthew Hayden questioned the selectors’ decision to bring back the batsman, who has not played first-class cricket since the start of 2025.Speaking on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast, Hayden launched a scathing attack on the selection committee and questioned the standard of players being picked for the national team.“We find ourselves promoting the biggest pile of mediocrity we’ve seen in a generation of cricket,” Hayden said.He also questioned expectations that players with modest first-class averages could translate that form into success at the highest level, taking aim at chief selector George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide.“And if we continue to interpret that and expect a guy who averages 35 to average 55 in Test match cricket, George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, you dream. I’ll put it simply. You dream. 45 or more, and you can’t because they don’t want to play,” Hayden said.Maddinson’s first-class average of 37.11 further fueled the debate over his selection. However, Cummins backed the batsman ahead of the series and said he was settled in his game.With Head also dismissed cheaply, Australia faced an early test of batting depth against a South African side that recalled Anrich Nortje and opted for two spinners. Kagiso Rabada has been left out as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.