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The 33-ball duck by the 34-year-old Nic Maddinson sparked a widespread debate among cricket fans across social media platforms. Amid multiple injury issues and fitness-related concerns, the selectors of the Australian men's team surprisingly added Maddinson to the Test team and went to face the new ball against the South African pacers in Durham for the first of the three-match Test series.
Amid all the expectations and concerns around the batter, who was diagnosed with cancer, he returned with unwanted records as he failed to score a single run after facing 33 balls. While fingers are starting to point towards the selectors for the team, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg speaks in support of the selectors.
An unwanted record for Nic Maddinson
Australia went to bat first in the first innings of the match with Nic Maddinson and Travis Head as the openers. Nic Maddinson could have lost his wicket earlier in the innings for an LBW if the Temba Bavuma-led South Africa had signalled to the field umpire for a review.
After the narrow escape, the batter went to face a few more balls and was ultimately dismissed with a lot of misery. As soon as he was dismissed on the 33rd ball he played, Nic Maddinson became the owner of the record for the longest duck by an Australian opener this century.
Todd Greenberg speaks in support of Australia cricket team selectors
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg told SEN that every selection call comes to some debate, which is quite natural and a part of the game. But it is undoubtedly a disappointing moment when a batter like Nic Maddinson is dismissed without continuing much in a game.
"It's always fascinating; any selection creates some form of debate. I was disappointed that he didn't make some runs this morning because clearly our selectors have a firm view that he's a high talent, and that's why they've picked him," Greenberg said.
Former Australian cricketers like Matthew Hayden had been very critical since the selectors named Maddinson in the Test team. Maddinson joined the Test squad after the injury of Jos Inglish. Todd Greenberg believed that criticizing someone outside the ground is always an easy task for the former players.
“I think it's very predictable because it's very easy to be critical. I get that, and as long as Adam's been around, former players will criticise current generations. That will always continue, and I think part of that's healthy in cricket, as long as it doesn't get personal," he continued.
People are paid to have an opinion: Todd Greenberg
Despite remaining unfazed by the outside noise, the CA CEO realizes that having an opinion is also part of the job of former cricketers and cricket experts, and the opinions they place are based on the outcome.
“But people are paid to have an opinion; we have to accept that, and ultimately people are then judged on outcomes. That's the thing about any selection, any player, the judgement always comes on performance," Greenberg added.
