SA vs AUS: Australia’s aging Test XI, comeback opener falls for a 33-ball duck

Australia’s aging batting line-up came under scrutiny on the opening day of their Test tour of South Africa, with Nic Maddinson’s long-awaited return ending with a 33-ball duck in Durban on Friday.

For the first time in Test cricket history, Australia fielded a playing XI without a single player under the age of 30. The lack of depth in their red-ball batting has been a problem even in periods of success, with young players struggling to make their mark.

SA vs AUS 1st Test Day 1 Update | Scorecard

Australia’s attempts to find long-term solutions have not always worked. Nathan McSweeney, who was 25 when he made his Test debut in 2024, and 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who got a chance at the top of the order later that year, failed to cement their places.

For the series against South Africa, Australia turned to Maddinson, who had not played first-class cricket since March 2025 and had not featured in a Test since 2016. The left-hander returned after 579 days away from first-class cricket, the longest such gap for an Australian before a men’s Test.

However, his comeback did not go according to plan. Maddinson faced 33 deliveries before being dismissed without scoring, the most balls an Australian opener has faced in a Test innings without getting off the mark. He tried to cut a delivery from Marc Jansen that wasn’t short or wide enough, only to fire the ball onto his stumps.

Nic Maddinson taken for a duck 0(33) by Marco Jansen #SAvsAUS #AUSVsSA Aryan (@chinchat09) October 9, 2026

However, his return to the international scene came after a much more significant battle outside of cricket.

Maddinson was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery to remove it. Further tests seven weeks later revealed the cancer had spread to parts of his abdominal lymph nodes and lungs.

His wife Bianca was pregnant with their second child when he started chemotherapy. She quit her job as a dentist to care for their toddler son while Maddinson underwent treatment.

His days revolved around hospital visits, sleep and struggling to maintain a routine during chemotherapy. He completed his treatment on July 14 and had to wait another two months before being cleared to resume full training.

After the birth of his second son, Wilder, Maddinson returned to cricket grateful to be healthy again. He also urged people to seek medical attention if they notice anything abnormal.

He finally played Test cricket again on Friday. However, the scorecard offered a small reward for his journey back.

124 FOR 6 IN DAY 1 IN DURBAN

Maddinson wasn’t the only Australian batsman to miss an opportunity. Travis Head fell for nine after catching a delivery from Wiaan Mulder down the leg side, with keeper Kyle Verreynne completing the catch. Steve Smith made 25 before being caught by Mulder at gully off Jansen, while Marnus Labuschagne was trapped lbw by Mulder for 37 off 58 balls on the last delivery before lunch.

Labuschagne, whose average in the previous 21 Tests had dropped to 26.26, continued to struggle for consistency. He hit six fours but failed to convert his start into a meaningful innings.

Australia reached 100 for four in the second over, losing Head, Maddinson, Smith and Labuschagne. They lost Alex Carey and Beau Webster cheaply and reeled at 124 for 6 in the second innings on Friday.

For a side looking for answers in red-ball cricket, the early collapse offered another reminder that experience alone may not be enough to secure the future of Australia’s batting.

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