Shocked to be named in Australia’s Twenty20 squad at the age of 21, the country’s latest hard-hitting sensation Nic Maddinson wants to make the most of his maiden national call-up.
Maddinson is likely to open the batting alongside Aaron Finch in the T20 clash with India on Thursday week, which precedes the seven-match one-day series on the subcontinent.
Maddinson was part of the Sydney Sixers side that won the 2012 T20 Champions League, but it’s his recent first-class form with Australia A that has grabbed the attention of national selectors and coach Darren Lehmann.
Maddinson thumped centuries against Ireland and Gloucestershire prior to the Ashes, then scored 88 and 90 against South Africa A, but never thought he was on the fringes of the national T20 side.
“At first I was a bit surprised. I didn’t really think it was something that was going to come along this quickly,” he said.
“It (T20) is a format I’m still learning.
“I think any opportunity is a good one when it comes to representing Australia.”
Lehmann will doubtless be more interested in Maddinson’s upcoming Sheffield Shield season more so than his five days with the Australian camp in India.
But the 21-year-old knows chief selector John Inverarity has handed him an opportunity to impress.
“If I am lucky enough to get that opportunity to play over there, hopefully I can do well for Australia,” Maddinson said.
“Hopefully I learn a few things over there.
“John Inverarity spoke to me last week. I was actually playing golf and almost didn’t answer the call because I was trying to hole a 10 footer … he didn’t really say too much about it.”
Maddinson will be tour with Moises Henriques, the housemate and NSW teammate he spent winter alongside with while playing for Australia A.
“It’s just a single room. We’re actually both fuming about that, we’d like to huddle up next to each other,” Henriques joked.
“He’s already scored five first-class hundreds … he’s gone away and performed well in England and South Africa. So he’s certainly one to watch for the future.”
