Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper Added to Australia’s Test Squad for South Africa Tour
Nic Maddinson returns after almost ten years and Sam Harper provides keeping cover as Josh Inglis recovers, ahead of the Durban Test on October 9.
By SportCricket Desk · 2 Oct 2026 · 2 min read
Australia have added Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper to their Test squad for the series in South Africa.
Maddinson’s return
Maddinson, 34, is back in the Test set-up after almost a decade. His last Test for Australia was the 2016 Boxing Day match against Pakistan. He has been away from the game for a difficult period, and his recent domestic form has caught the selectors’ eye: in his latest ODI he hit a match-winning 126 off 127 balls for New South Wales against Victoria.
Harper as keeping cover
Harper, 29, comes in as wicketkeeping cover while Josh Inglis recovers from a fractured right index finger. He scored 677 runs in the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield and recently made 128 for Australia A against India A in Puducherry.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey said Harper gives them keeping cover and Maddinson offers flexibility in the batting order.
Fitness and fixtures
Inglis could return for the second Test in Gqeberha, depending on his recovery. Cameron Green’s availability for the opener is in doubt after a lower abdominal strain in Australia’s final ODI against South Africa.
The first Test is in Durban from October 9-13, the second in Gqeberha from October 18-22 and the third in Johannesburg from October 27-31.
