Photo via Wisden

An hour of struggle after a decade in exile: Nic Maddinson's 33-ball duck lays bare Australia's batting woes

Nic Maddinson marked his return to Test cricket after nearly a decade by recording the third-longest scoreless knock by an opener in men's history, lasting thirty-three balls without scoring against South Africa. This opening pair experiment compounded ongoing batting struggles for Australia, who have tested seven different combinations since the beginning of 2025.

Chief selector George Bailey defended the selection citing tactical flexibility, while former player Matthew Hayden strongly condemned the decision.

Up nextCricket· 41m ago

Nic Maddinson's 33-ball duck makes unwanted history in Australia vs South Africa Test