Nic Maddinson signs with Premier Cricket club St Kilda as he looks for opportunities with Victoria

FORMER Australian Test batsman Nic Maddinson has found a home in Premier Cricket as he looks to reignite to career in Victoria.

Nic Maddinson clips one off his pads in the 2016 Boxing Day Test. Picture: William West

AS expected, St Kilda has won the race for the prized signature of Nic Maddinson as the former Australian Test player looks to reignite his career in Victoria.

The Saints were considered the frontrunners to secure Maddinson’s services after he was not offered a NSW contract, just 16 months after wearing the baggy green.

St Kilda confirmed his signing on Monday before announcing it on Wednesday morning.

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We are thrilled to announce that @maddo53 has joined us for the upcoming season. We wish Nic all the best for his remaining time in England and look forward to welcoming him to the Junction Oval later on this year. #ProudlyStKilda pic.twitter.com/GEfBiqsxDS

— St Kilda CC (@StKildaCricket) July 10, 2018

The 26-year-old played in three Test matches late in 2016 but returned just 27 runs from four innings.

He inked a three-year deal with Big Bash League franchise Melbourne Stars but remains without a state contract.

St Kilda director of cricket Peter Meddings said Maddinson would be looking to force his way into Victoria’s best XI through Premier Cricket.

“In all honesty, we’re just trying to help Nic out with not getting a (NSW) contract and him coming down to Melbourne,” Meddings said.

“He’s signed with the Melbourne Stars so I think that was sort of part of his plan in coming down to Melbourne and obviously he needs a club to play with so we’re pretty excited.”

Nic Maddinson sends another one to the boundary for the Sixers. Picture: Phil Hillyard

His future Stars teammate Michael Beer and former Test teammate Peter Handscomb are with the Saints, and he is friends with recently retired St Kilda batsman Rob Quiney.

Prahran, Camberwell Magpies and Northcote were also keen on the damaging left-hander.

Meddings said how often he turns out with St Kilda would depend on state selection.

“I don’t really know the full story as far as anything else goes with Cricket Victoria, whether they are looking to get him in to any of the one-day stuff,” he said.

“If they do, most of that is sort of played September and early October so we’d be hoping there’s a window there in between Big Bash and anything else that Nic would be playing.”

Cricket Victoria GM of cricket Shaun Graf said earlier this month Maddinson would be an exciting inclusion to Premier Cricket and possibly the Victorian set-up.

“I’m rapt that he is prepared to come without a contract and back himself,’’ Graf said.

“He wants to get back eventually in the Australian side but he knows he’s got to work back through the system.

“The lad’s coming out of his comfort zone, so to speak, and coming down. I think that’s a strong point. It’s similar to what happened with Jason Arnberger and David Hussey. They didn’t come down with contracts. They backed themselves in and got their rewards.’’

Maddinson has played 72 First Class games for eight centuries at an average of 34.75 and played in Australia’s T20 series against Pakistan and Zimbabwe this month.