Melbourne: Out-of-form Australia batsman Nic Maddinson has been granted a reprieve with his captain Steve Smith confirming his side would be unchanged for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
Maddinson has scored zero, one and four in his three Test innings since making his debut against South Africa in Adelaide and his place in the team had been in question following the decision to call all-rounder Hilton Cartwright into the squad.
“We brought the all-rounder into the squad because the bowlers had a pretty heavy workload but they’ve pulled up well and they’re confident that they can get through,” Smith said.
Smith, however, said Maddinson would play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Monday as his fast bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird had recovered well after a heavy workload in the first Test in Brisbane.
The trio bowled 113 overs between them in Pakistan’s second innings, where the visitors were dismissed for 450, chasing 490 for victory.
Despite winning the match in Brisbane, Smith’s cautious field settings on day five were queried by former captains Michael Clarke and Mark Taylor and slammed as ridiculous by ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan.
“People are open to criticise me all they like but in the end, we won the Test match and I’m happy with that,” Smith added.
Reuters
