On Saturday the 30th of October, Victoria defeated New South Wales on the final day of their opening Sheffield Shield match for the 2021/22 season.
Despite both Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb scoring centuries in the second innings, and combining to record a 261-run partnership, Nic Maddinson was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ honours after his first innings score of 87.
Though a strange choice, Maddinson’s knock came at a vital time and took Victoria’s score to 199, when it looked like they could be bowled out for less than 150. His mature performance helped give the Vics some momentum heading into the change of innings; which the bowlers capitalised on, bowling New South Wales out for 151.
Recently, Maddinson has made a habit of scoring runs when Victoria needs him to, and has built an impressive resumé that, if he can continue to add to it over the next month, might just see the national selectors take notice.
Since moving from New South Wales to Victoria ahead of the 2018/19 domestic season, Maddinson has averaged 66.05 in the Sheffield Shield, with eight half centuries and five centuries – one of those a career best 224.
In comparison Harris has averaged 60.72, Matthew Wade 58.91 and Travis Head 48.91 in the same time period. All have earned call-ups to wear the baggy green as a result.
Even Shaun Marsh – who has dominated at Shield level in recent times – averages a little less than Maddinson with 64.44 over the last three seasons.
The fact that each of these players has been selected for national duties off the back of form like this, suggests Nic Maddinson is in line for an Ashes call-up. Or, if not, that he should be.
Nic Maddinson of Victoria bats during day two of the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria at Sydney Cricket Ground on February 18, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Interestingly, most – if not all – of Maddinson’s runs were scored opening the batting for Victoria; a spot that currently appears to be open for the Ashes alongside David Warner, especially if another Victorian in Will Pucovski is unavailable as he battles his latest concussion.
However, Victorian Coach Chris Rogers has now permanently moved Nic Maddinson into the middle order, after switching him between opening and batting at number four last season.
If Maddinson can make a big score in the coming weeks of Shield cricket, don’t be surprised to see him announced as part of the squad for the upcoming Ashes series as a middle-order batter – or even, if the selectors are truly desperate, as an opener.
His form over the past three seasons suggests he’s ready for a return to the Test arena, and redeem his ugly 6.75 batting average from three horror Tests against South Africa and Pakistan five years ago.
All he needs to do now is continue to bat well and he should be rewarded by the selectors.
This time 12 months ago, Rogers shared a similar sentiment about Maddinson’s international chances.
“Technically, he’s very, very good. He does it his own way, but if he goes and has another season like he did (in 2019) then he’ll push his name into (Test) contention, but he’ll have to earn it,” Rogers said.
This will certainly be an interesting watch over the course of this domestic season, but if Maddinson can continue to show form with the bat, like he has been doing these last few years, then he most likely will, as Rogers said, ‘earn it’.
>> Check out Australia’s full T20 World Cup and Ashes fixtures as they stand
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Think Davey boy could fail five times again and he'll probably still get selected . He should get some runs on home pitch . We won't know if khawaja labs opening would get more but doesn't mean they are wouldn't they are in better form than warner red ball wise
Paul
Roar Guru
You're not going to get rid of Davey that easily Pierro. Khawaja's certainly firmed as favourite given the runs he made, where the First Test will be played, but another little left hander will be his partner
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Khawaja another 70 today on a tough wicket everyone failed . Him and labs to open. Keep saying it . Stack that middle order then
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I'd certainly agree to wait until all shield games are completed and the Aussie A match
JamesH
Roar Guru
Harris has a century from his four Shield digs so far. He was in ripping form in County cricket before that, hitting several hundreds for Leicstershire. I don't think it's reasonable to write off his Ashes chances based on one poor game. He should still be in the box seat to partner Warner.
Johnb
Guest
Weak attack, bar Lyon, and down a man. But good luck to him. Keep making runs and no matter who you are or where you're from, you put yourself in the frame.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
It probably won’t happen with labs opening . But the results show it should is all I’ll say . Healy is backing me up on comments I’m not alone . Moreover the tests against england and India show labs is effectively the best opener anyway so I’ll let labs scores speak for themselves when he comes to the wicket so quickly . He make big runs effectively as opener whilst Harris burns or warner or Bancroft fail and that’s pretty much the way it’s happened whether anyone likes it or not with their opening theories it’s factual he’s done the job as opener against the toughest opposition as so many go on about the right incumbents or failed openers mate
Andrew
Roar Rookie
Yes. Make sure you let everyone know about it.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You are counting 3 seasons ago. If you want to play with numbers, do last season; he is returning to some form but it is one and a half matches. As I said, sustain it. If he sustains it, he is in the conversation. I mention Cartwright for that reason. He is showing some form over 3 matches but no mention from over east. Yet, if one of yours scores once...pick him. I say, let him knock the door down. Travis Head has done that.
Paul
Roar Guru
You need to give up the cry of "Las for opener". It simply won't happen. The opening situation was way worse last year and Labs stayed at 3 so the chances of him batting higher, right now, are nil. Maddinson is doing everything right for a recall, but Head's doing even more. Green is the poster boy so he's got a start for the First two Tests at least, so it's down to these two. I wouldn't be surprised to see Maddinson named in a squad of 13, using him as a possible concussion/injury replacement. Ditto with Jhye Richardson.
Tom
Haha what on earth are you on about? He has made 2000 runs at 64 since moving moving to Victoria. 6 x 100’s (including a double) and 9 x 50’s in his last 22 innings. I’m no mathematician but I’m pretty sure that is more than two scores. 3 times more 100’s in his last 22 innings than Mcdermott has in his career. The same amount of FC 100’s in his last 22 innings than Cartwright has made in his career. Why is it so hard for you to acknowledge how well he has played over the last 3.5 years?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He needs more than 2 scores in 3 years.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Madinson another century . I think we can get head in too if he keeps up some great form in last two shield matches
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Another century for madinson Johnb. He is looking very good and shield is best form indicator after just so long away from red ball cricket due to the pandemic breaks . Madinson should start at 5 . Khawaja should open if he keeps this form up maybe even with Labuschagne instead of warner . That allows head in if he keeps finding form . Warner and Paine have played zero red ball cricket since early January and Paine could easily be replaced by Carey first test . Smith labs and green are the three instant selections right now . Madinson and khawaja could really strengthen the side on home soil
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Madinson another century today Paul . He looks good for middle order . If head can find more form I’d play him too . Elevate labs to open with khawaja or warner
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Simoc madinson another century . Get him in at four or five . Head could come in as well if we elevate labuschagne and possibly Carey as Paine hasn't played at all after his surgery for six months .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Harris fail again today . Madinson spanks another ton . Get maddinson in middle maybe with head elevate labs to open. Carey in for Paine if Paine is not match fit which he is not as he hasn't played any cricket for six months plus
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Another century for madinson today Andrew
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Tom another century to maddinson today we should get home in the middle possibly with head or Carey
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Another century today don . Called this guy in my side . Middle order with head if he can find a few more good innings . Paine hasn't even played a game for six months plus and is recovering . Carey should start first test . Khawaja could easily start with Labuschagne given his run ha in shield so far . Still I'll wait for final two shield fixtures for each state but as there's been no cricket all year and a losing series we should pick these guys in form on home soil and they are mostly guys that could then tour India . Not alot of red ball cricket to get it rght but Harris warner Paine have big negative crosses for many reasons going in to this summer and looking forward to India tour as well