Nic Maddinson hoping for another shot at Test cricket dream

Earning a Test recall has been playing on the mind of Victorian batter Nic Maddinson ahead of his side’s Sheffield Shield clash with NSW.

Maddinson has spent almost five years in the Test wilderness. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

Nic Maddinson admits he’s holding out hope he may one day have the chance to don the baggy green again.

The Victorian opening batter played three Tests for Australia in the summer of 2016/17 but hasn’t played red-ball cricket at the highest level since.

Watch Live Coverage of the 21/22 Marsh One-Day Cup Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Join Now

As he prepares for Victoria’s first match of the summer, which begins at Drummoyne Oval on Wednesday, Maddinson said earning a Test recall had been playing on his mind.

“From a personal point of view, I’d love to put some performances on the board. My goal is still to play Test cricket again,” he said on SEN.

“Whether that comes in the next year or the next three years or never comes at all, that’s fine as long as I’m pursuing that. I think that’s the main focus.”

Maddinson conceded his last summer didn’t go quite to plan but couldn’t see that modest stretch of form precluding him from selection.

“I didn’t have the year I would have liked last season in terms of a runs point of view (in the summer of 2020/21),” he admitted.

“But even coming off an average season, you’re never that far away, especially when you get a little bit older.

“If you have a good start to the season and you have a good 12 months, you’re always in selectors’ minds. It’s something that you definitely think about.”

Maddinson last wore the baggy green in the 2016 Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

At 29, Maddison feels he is the perfect age to break back into the Test side and says he has been pleased with his progress since joining Victoria from NSW in the summer of 2018/2019.

“I felt like I’ve made really good progression since coming to Victoria,” he said.

“I’ve really worked on a few things in my game and changed my style of play a little bit. I felt like that’s put me in a good position to push for some honours higher up.

“I’m approaching 30 this year, so I think that’s a good marker of when guys really hit their straps in terms of being a batter as well. So I’m excited for that.”

On Saturday, Maddinson was named in Victoria’s 13-man squad to travel to Sydney. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

This week’s clash with NSW at Drummoyne presents the perfect opportunity for Maddinson to show selectors what he’s made of.

The Victorians will be relying on him and fellow experienced hands Peter Handscomb and Marcus Harris to fill the hole left by Test star Will Pucovski, who has stayed in Melbourne to recover from his latest concussion.

Maddinson said he was eager to play his first match of cricket since April.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there this week and seeing how things that I’ve been tinkering with over the off-season match up and getting into the swing of playing some four-day cricket again,” he said.