{
  "id": 13132048,
  "title": "Nic Maddinson creates unwanted record for longest duck by a Test opener in 21st century",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/nic-maddinson-creates-unwanted-record-for-longest-duck-by-a-test",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T14:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nic-maddinson-creates-unwanted-record-141600276.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nic Maddinson, the Australia Test opener, made a startling debut return to international cricket with a 33-ball duck against South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban. Maddinson's score, the third-longest duck by an opener in Test history and the longest for a duck by a Test opener in the 21st century, marked an unwanted milestone in his comeback to the national side. The 34-year-old was recalled after a nine-year absence, having battled testicular cancer. He had previously played only three first-class matches since his last Test appearance in the 2016-17 home summer. Despite previous criticism from former Australia opener Matthew Hayden, who questioned the selection panel's decision to bring back Maddinson, his recall received initial support from captain Pat Cummins. However, Maddinson's poor start, coupled with Travis Head's early departure, highlighted concerns about the team's batting depth against the return of Anrich Nortje and two spinners from South Africa.",
  "summary": "Nic Maddinson's return to Test cricket after nearly a decade began poorly with a 33-ball duck. He set a new record for the longest innings without scoring by a Test opener in the 21st century. Matthews Hayden criticized his selection, highlighting concerns over the standards of players being chosen. Australia faced early challenges after Travis Head was dismissed cheaply following Maddinson's…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "What the Maddinson selection tells us about the state of Australian cricket",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/what-the-maddinson-selection-tells-us-about-the-state-of-australian",
        "published": "2026-10-09T04:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "What the Maddinson selection tells us about the state of Australian cricket",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/what-the-maddinson-selection-tells-us-about-the-state-of-australian-13032473",
        "published": "2026-10-09T04:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Nic Maddinson creates unwanted record for longest duck by opener in 21st century",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/nic-maddinson-creates-unwanted-record-for-longest-duck-by-opener-in",
        "published": "2026-10-09T08:46:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "‘Baffling selection bears no fruit’: Fans react as Nic Maddinson endures a 'painful' 33-dall duck vs South Africa on Aussie return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/baffling-selection-bears-no-fruit-fans-react-as-nic-maddinson-endures",
        "published": "2026-10-09T09:36:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}