Nic Maddinson arrives in Wollongong on Tuesday hitting the reset button.
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A career of promise and big-swinging fireworks is currently in a period of redevelopment, which would see the Shoalhaven and Warilla junior develop into a leader who can take the Sydney Sixers back to the top of the Big Bash League.
Having moved on from a whirlwind season where he was included and then dumped from the Test team after just three matches, Maddinson is eager to turn his attention to the Twenty20 format, starting with Tuesday’s practice match against the Hobart Hurricanes at North Dalton Park.
It’s played just a week before the Sixers open their Big Bash campaign against crosstown rivals Sydney Thunder.
The Sixers made the final last season, beaten by Perth, but Maddinson managed just 75 runs in seven innings, including being run out for one in the decider.
He’s made a handful of starts in the Sheffield Shield, but two centuries in the one-day series to start the season has Maddinson full of belief his best form is just around the corner.
“I’ve been short of runs (in Shield), but I don’t think I’m out of form,” he said. “There’s been a bit of frustration, but in terms of my game, it’s as good as I’ve ever played, especially in the one-dayers.
“The T20s will be a good opportunity to take a step back and be a bit more relaxed this season.
“I’m looking to build the innings and take control, rather than just having you foot on the floor the whole time.”
Maddinson has backed the Sixers’ batting lineup to be the key factor in leading them to another BBL title, now six years since their won the inaugural competition, when they went on to claim the now defunct Champions League.
Captained by the experienced all-rounder Moises Henriques, the Sixers squad features strike bowler Sean Abbott, who took 20 wickets in the last Big Bash series.
Englishman Jason Roy is a key batting weapon, at least until international duty calls, while Jordan Silk provides class with the bat and in the field and Peter Nevill has left the Melbourne Renegades to play for the Sixers.
With the Sydney derby on the radar after Tuesday match in Wollongong, Maddinson expects the Sixers to remain the dominant NSW force for some time to come.
“Not being rude to the Thunder, but they might struggle for a couple of years yet,” Maddinson said, though Thunder did win the Big Bash in 2015-16, they have finished in the bottom two every other season, including last in 2016-17.
“A lot of the NSW guys want to play for the Sixers, there’s a connection there and it’s part of the reason why we continue to be up there.”
BIG BASH
Tuesday
North Dalton Park
12pm (WBBL): SYDNEY SIXERS v PERTH SCORCHERS
4.30pm (BBL trial): SYDNEY SIXERS v HOBART HURRICANES
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