CRICKET
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
South Coast product Nic Maddinson says he doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a Twenty20 cricketer but admits his passage to a Test cap will probably be through the game's shortest form.
It comes after his selection in Australia's 13-man T20 squad to play against South Africa next month.
Maddinson, 22, made his 20-over international debut last October when he smashed 34 off 16 balls as India beat Australia by six wickets on the sub-continent.
With Australia's best players currently in the United Arab Emirates, the left-hand opening batsman now has the chance to secure his spot in a national team.
It could be the foot in the door he needs to achieve his dream of snagging a baggy green.
"Obviously there are a lot of guys coming back in that aren't in this T20 squad at the moment, so there is an opportunity in different forms of the game now," Maddinson said.
"Whenever you get a chance you have to grab that opportunity and put your hand up, not give selectors a choice whether to pick you or not.
"Especially with the T20 game, it's heading a separate way to the rest of Australian cricket. There's a lot of guys now, being such a specific format, that play one and not the other."
Maddinson has seen a number of players represent Australia in the 20-over game and fail to progress to the longer format.
He is happy playing T20 for now but is still aiming towards one day playing Test cricket.
"Still aiming to play the long form, it's a passion of mine and it's what I enjoy the most out of all three forms of the game," Maddinson said.
"That's where I'd ideally like to ply my trade."
Maddinson was named in the T20 squad on Monday despite some inconsistent form for NSW during the one-day domestic Matador Cup.
He opened the series by scoring 84 against South Australia but has since returned just 71 runs in five digs for the Blues.
He hopes to score big in the semi-final on Friday, when NSW play for a spot in the decider on Sunday.
"I still think I'm playing well, I'm hitting the ball as well as I ever have," he said.
"And my mental approach is one that I think can bring me consistency.
"I still have faith I can do well and hopefully Friday might be the day, you never know."
Once his Matador Cup duties are finished, Maddinson will prepare to go into camp with the Australian T20 squad on Saturday week.
He has a busy summer ahead as he juggles international duties with the Sheffield Shield and another Big Bash League campaign with Sydney Sixers.