Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s selection panel has been lashed with a wave of savage criticism after their remarkable decision to call Nic Maddinson into the Test side to take on South Africa backfired horribly at the first time of asking.
The remarkable decision to inject the 34-year-old, who has not played a Sheffield Shield match since March of last of year, into the team and send him to the top of the order for the series opener could not have gone much worse in the first innings.
After being thoroughly worked over by Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder, Maddinson eventually dragged the former back onto his stumps through an ill-advised attempt at cut shot to depart for a tortured 33-ball duck.
Had the Proteas captain Temba Bavuma opted to review a close LBW shout from Mulder which was shown to be smashing into leg stump, he would have been sent on his way after 15 deliveries.
Channel Seven expert Simon Katich said he felt sorry for Maddinson, describing his difficult stay at the crease as a “slow death”.
“In that sort of position as a selector, I think it’s imperative on you to be able to pick someone when they are either at the peak of their powers or giving them the best chance of success. I don’t think they did that,” Katich told SEN.
“That’s why there has been so much angst around this decision, particularly back in Australia, and now, it’s only going to be even more.
“Hopefully, he can make some sort of contribution in the second innings . . . the percentages weren’t in his favour.”
Mark Waugh — who was part of the selection panel which gave Maddinson his first Test chance in 2016 — said he would have opted to play Western Australia young gun Cooper Connolly.
“I think Connolly’s a bit unlucky, because he offers left-arm spin as well,” Waugh told Fox Cricket.
“He’s a younger guy, he’s played pretty well in the (One-Day Internationals).”
Matthew Renshaw, who was shunted down to No.5 as Maddinson partnered Travis Head at the top of the order and top-scored with a composed 46 not out, attributed his teammate’s difficult day to the nature of opening the batting.
“Unfortunately for Maddo it wasn’t to be today, but we know that cricket’s a weird old game sometimes. I think sometimes you feel like it’s just one of those games,” Renshaw said.
“He’ll come out the other side of that. He’s fine, it’s just cricket.”
Maddinson and Head’s union was the 11th opening partnership used by Australia since the retirement of the legendary David Warner in January 2024.
Renshaw was part of the 10th when he joined Head against Bangladesh in Mackay in August and figures as a likely candidate to return there if the selectors make another change to a batting group which has been in a state of constant flux in recent years.
Meanwhile, WA’s Cam Green — who was Australia’s best batter in their 1-1 series draw against Bangladesh — is continuing his work to overcome an abdominal strain.
After suffering the injury in the final game Australia’s preceding One-Day International series against the Proteas, Green has remained in South Africa to continue his recovery, although coach Andrew McDonald said he was only expected to be available as a specialist batsman.
