The Sheffield Shield resumes this weekend, with cricketers quickly switching out of Twenty20 mode to ply their trade in the longer form of red-ball cricket.
After day one of the Victoria vs New South Wales match, Nic Maddinson shines on the scorecard once more with a strong knock of 95. Despite throwing his wicket away to Steve O’Keefe when tantalisingly close to another first-class ton, his impressive innings is just another decent score in an impressive season and a half.
Yet, when Australia struggle to lock down an opening partner for Dave Warner after Joe Burns’ up and down summer and past Ashes struggles from Cam Bancroft and Marcus Harris, Maddinson gets remarkably little attention. All because his one international go at the Test level was brutally ruined by a searing yorker from one of the best pacemen in the world (Kagiso Rabada) and some blistering South African bowling.
Sure, he definitely deserved to be dropped, but unlike players such as Pete Handscomb, Maddinson has worked on his game and improved his top order first-class batting out of sight.
Since making the change to Victoria from New South Wales, Maddinson has struck 1,106 runs at an average of 73.73. Definitely a hell of a better tally than what Burns, Harris and Bancroft have managed to whip up. Maddinson only played half of the 2018-19 season, yet hit 563 runs at 70.38. While Aaron Finch and Harris struggled throughout the summer, Maddinson got no mention.
Selectors could only vividly remember that Rabada yorker that sent Maddinson off for a duck in his first Test innings.
His 2019-20 campaign after today sees him with 543 runs at an average of 77.57, with a top score of 224. Sure, that knock was on a road as flat as a tack down at the Junction Oval, but since then he has gone on to consistently post runs at the top order of a Victorian line up that has struggled a lot more than prior seasons.
He’s made his runs while at the coalface – in the top three. His 95 yesterday proved that; against a swinging Dukes ball and facing the likes of Trent Copeland, Harry Conway, Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe, he clicked along at a great strike rate and looked as solid as a rock. Unlike his time at New South Wales, it’s clear he has worked diligently on his red-ball batting and left his white-ball slogging behind. The results definitely show – he’s one of the leading top order batsman in the past two seasons of the Marsh Shield.
His runs also come at a time where the opening position is the most vulnerable one in the Aussie batting line up. With Travis Head solidifying his spot with that Boxing Day ton, Joe Burns is the one in trouble. But Harris and Bancroft haven’t grabbed their spots, even Matt Renshaw has lost his position in the Queensland team. Maddinson is the only one putting his hand up, yet he has received little to no attention.
I’m not saying that Maddinson should be in the Australian team. He just deserves more recognition. Perhaps selection in the Australian A team, a nod from the selectors that he is inching closer. Maybe even a change in the pecking order, a signal that Maddinson is the one next in line putting the pressure on Burns.
If Burns has another meagre series, and Maddinson continues to finish off the Shield season with aplomb and a swag of runs, the heat should well and truly be on. But it seems like there’s too many people in positions of power who can only remember that Rabada dismissal.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
As you wrote; "We’ve been picking blokes for 10 years that can’t even average 37 in first class cricket full stop." I don't see any need to "try again".
JamesH
Roar Guru
Yeah, Maddinson's been in discussions around the test side for a few months. Ronan even has an article on here today about where Maddinson whould bat in the test lineup. I don't think he's lacking recognition at all. The concern seems to be whether or not he's mentally ready.
Sean Mortell
Roar Guru
Today's century takes it to 648 runs @ 92.57 for this Shield season, and 1,211 @ 80.73 for his past two seasons since making the move to Victoria. Cannot disagree that he is mounting an eye-catching case.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Na mate, he averages close to 50 in test cricket. Try again. Lol
AREH
Roar Guru
His Shield form has not dipped since making the move. He would most definitely be on the selector’s shortlist.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Oh, and let's not forget that he was *extremely* fortunate to be selected in the first place.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
You mean like the current Oz Test Player otY?
JGK
Roar Guru
200 runs for once out in the current match is a good way to start the climb back to the Test team.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Maddinson was given as much opportunity as the anyone by being selected in the ‘bat off’ game, however he withdrew. What else are the selectors supposed to do?
Nudge
Roar Rookie
112 at home and a bleak 37 away. Haha, yeah woeful. We’ve been picking blokes for 10 years that can’t even average 37 in first class cricket full stop
Gee
Roar Rookie
There is every chance Burns will get dropped next season (his average is down to 38 and he gets bowled too much for an opener) so Maddinson needs to keep posting runs. Bancroft and Harris are hopeless, Renshaw is just a grade cricketer now and I doubt they will pick Khawaja as an opener so there is not much completion.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Rhymes with 'dire'...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Nahhh. Maddison needs to put runs on the board *outside* Melbourne. Since moving to Bleaktown his average there is 112.7, however elsewhere it is an ordinary 37.0. And that doesn't include any innings at the Gabbatoir. You know the Gabbatoir? It's where Joe Burns plays most of his home games.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
satire?
Save_the_Earth
Roar Rookie
Saw him in the BBL. He was clueless with the bat
Simoc
Guest
The selectors would be absolutely all over Maddinsons batting. That is all that matters. Media scrutiny is irrelevant. I'm pretty sure Maddinson only has to keep producing runs to get picked as his ability is widely recognized. While the team is winning comfortably, there aren't really spots up for grabs. He is certainly a class above Bancroft, Harris, Burns in ability but that needs to translate into runs when the opportunity comes. Likewise, Usman Khawaja who may be ahead in the pecking order.
Cam
Guest
I want to see Maddinson given another chance in the test arena. He will be a better player with the experiences he's had already. He's in great form with the red ball. Once we get to next summer we have quite a bit of test cricket over the next couple of years.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Sean, Maddinson was picked in the Australia A game against Pakistan early in the summer and withdrew on mental health grounds. So the recognition from the selectors is there, maybe there's been discussions where he's not in the frame for different reasons. You noted .....'score of 224. Sure, that knock was on a road as flat as a tack down at the Junction Oval,' I really hope these things don't enter the selectors thoughts negatively. Players roll up to whatever the curator produces and players need to find a way to excel. The Vics copped an unplayable this year and a road last year, that sounds like the possibilities you can get touring overseas. Surely then a player who succeeds is exactly what you're looking for. Not to mention in this time of 'trust the process' a player who has a technique to dominate on a road and survive on a dodgy surely has the tools for the game. Hopefully he finishes the season strong and he's in the picture if Burns stops producing 50+ partnerships with Warner and he tapers off.
Ab13
Guest
I think it was In Gideon Haigh’s book that he explained the only reason Hilton Cartwright was picked for his debut was to put a rocket up Mitchell Marsh.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
It’s a fair point if he has racked up all of those runs for Victoria as an opener. Has he. Burns didn’t have a great season, but not a failure. Maddinson actually got dropped after failing in two Tests against Pakistan following the South Africa match mentioned above, so not just down to a great ball from Rabada. His replacement, Cartwright, has sunk even further.