In a remarkable comeback story that has captured the attention of the global cricket community, Australian batter Nic Maddinson has earned a recall to the national squad for the opening Test of Australia’s three-match series against South Africa, just months after completing treatment for testicular cancer. The 34-year-old left-hander, who last represented Australia in Test cricket back in late 2016 for three caps, was diagnosed with the disease in April 2025, when it spread to his lung and lymph nodes. After completing a rigorous course of chemotherapy in July 2025, Maddinson received medical clearance to return to competitive cricket just eight weeks after his final treatment session. While he has not appeared in first-class cricket since his diagnosis, he has worked his way back to match fitness through five appearances in last season’s Big Bash League, and turned in a standout performance of 126 runs for New South Wales against Victoria in Australia’s domestic one-day competition on Sunday to cement his case for selection. Joining Maddinson in the updated touring squad is 29-year-old Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper, who receives his first ever call-up to a senior Australian Test squad. Both additions come as cover for existing squad members dealing with injury: incumbent wicketkeeper Josh Inglis will miss the series opener starting 9 October in Durban after scans confirmed a fracture to his right index finger. Australia’s selection chair George Bailey explained the pair’s inclusion, noting that Harper provides immediate back-up for Inglis as the injured keeper works toward a potential return for the second Test in Gqeberha, while Maddinson offers valuable batting flexibility across the entire order. Harper earned his call-up off the back of strong recent form, having notched 128 runs for Australia A against India A in an ongoing unofficial Test in Puducherry this week, and amassed 677 runs across the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield domestic season. The series opener is not without further selection questions for Australia, however: star all-rounder Cameron Green remains a doubtful starter after picking up a lower abdominal strain while batting in the final one-day international that preceded the red-ball series. Both Maddinson and Harper are now in contention for a spot in the final starting XI for the first Test, which will get underway at Durban’s Kingsmead ground this Friday. The match marks the first stop of a grueling three-match Test tour for Australia, which will move on to Gqeberha for the second fixture and conclude with a third match at an alternate South African venue. The inclusion of Maddinson, whose off-season battle with cancer has been widely followed in Australian cricket circles, adds an emotional narrative to what is already expected to be a hotly contested series between two of the world’s top-ranked red-ball sides. As it stands, South Africa have named a 19-player preliminary squad for the series, led by captain Temba Bavuma, and featuring key fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and star batters Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi. Australia’s full 18-man squad, now including Maddinson and Harper, is led by captain Pat Cummins, and features core players including Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc.