Nic Maddinson Sets Unwanted Record for Longest Duck by Test Opener

Nic Maddinson faced a challenging return to Test cricket, scoring a duck on 33 balls during the first Test match between Australia and South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban. This performance has set a record for the longest duck by a Test opener in the 21st century and ranks as the third-longest duck in Test history.

Maddinson's dismissal came after Travis Head was out for nine runs, placing Australia in a precarious position after captain Pat Cummins chose to bat first. The 34-year-old was called up to the team as a replacement for the injured Cameron Green, marking his first Test appearance since the 2016-17 season.

His selection had been met with skepticism, particularly from former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who criticized the decision to include a player who had not participated in first-class cricket since early 2025. Despite the scrutiny, Cummins expressed confidence in Maddinson's abilities ahead of the series.