Cancer Survivor Nic Maddinson Returns to Test Cricket After 10 Years, Gets Bowled for a Duck Off His 33rd Ball

Durban: Australian opening batter Nic Maddinson, 34, returned to the Test arena after a gap of 10 years following a successful battle against cancer. He remained at the crease for 32 balls without scoring before being clean bowled off the 33rd delivery. His dismissal came as a shock to Australian teammates and home supporters, but Maddinson also earned widespread admiration for his courage in returning to the game after overcoming the serious illness.

Maddinson has played three Tests for Australia, and the first Test of the series against South Africa, which began in Durban on Friday, is his fourth. He previously played three Tests in 2016. He made his Test debut against South Africa in November 2016 and was dismissed for a duck in the very first innings of his career. He failed to make a significant impact in his next five innings, after which he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his abdomen. He had to undergo surgery and endure the challenges of chemotherapy sessions. The cancer had spread to his abdomen and lungs, but he has now recovered considerably.

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Left-handed batter Maddinson was clean bowled by South African fast bowler Marco Jansen on Friday. Australia had already lost Travis Head at a total of 17 runs, and Maddinson returned to the pavilion when the team score reached 24. At the end of the 36th over, Australia were 107 for four.

Maddinson received medical clearance to resume playing in 2025. Driven by his passion for cricket, he gradually returned to domestic cricket and eventually worked his way back to the Test level. He has also played six T20 internationals for Australia. In 129 first-class matches, he has scored 7,832 runs, including 18 centuries and 36 half-centuries.