Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper have been added to Australia’s Test squad for the South Africa series, with Josh Inglis ruled out of the Durban opener and Cameron Green under an abdominal cloud.
Australia’s selectors have drafted middle-order batter Nic Maddinson and Victoria wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper into the Qantas Tour of South Africa Test squad after a mounting injury list forced cover, cricket.com.au and ABC News reported.
Why the call-ups
Josh Inglis is officially unavailable for the first Test in Durban (from 9 October) with a fractured right finger sustained during the ODI series. Harper, 29, arrives as reserve wicketkeeper cover behind Alex Carey after a career-best Sheffield Shield season (677 runs) and a 128 for Australia A against India A in Puducherry.
Maddinson, 34, provides batting-order flexibility alongside Cooper Connolly. Chief selector George Bailey said: “Sam gives us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order,” per cricket.com.au.
Green doubt, Renshaw cleared
All-rounder Cameron Green suffered an abdominal strain batting in the third ODI in Potchefstroom and will be assessed further this week. cricket.com.au said Australia are hopeful he will be fit for Durban; ABC noted the injury also raises questions over his bowling workload on this tour. Opener Matthew Renshaw has been cleared of wrist damage after being hit while fielding in the same match.
Maddinson’s long road back
Maddinson last played a Test on Boxing Day 2016. He underwent treatment for testicular cancer in 2025, missed first-class cricket last summer, returned via the BBL with Sydney Thunder, and struck 126 for NSW in the One-Day Cup against Victoria last week. He has been named NSW Sheffield Shield captain for the coming season. Harper would likely need a further injury to Carey to debut, with Carey entrenched as Test keeper.
Australia play an intra-squad warm-up in Potchefstroom this weekend before heading to Durban. Full squad (cricket.com.au): Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
Unconfirmed: whether Green bowls or bats in the first Test XI; Inglis availability beyond the second Test assessment; whether Maddinson or Connolly would replace Green if he is ruled out.
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