Haddin bats for Maddinson's inclusion for Boxing Day

Haddin bats for Maddinson's inclusion for Boxing Day

Brad Haddin, the former Australian wicketkeeper, believes national selectors should persist with struggling newcomer Nic Maddinson and pick him for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.

Maddinson, who celebrates his 25th birthday today (December 21), has had a horror start to his Test career scoring just five runs in three innings. The New South Welshman is under pressure to hold his spot with selectors drafting in Western Australian all-rounder Hilton Cartwright into Australia's squad for the Boxing Day Test.

Cartwright averages 44.50 with the bat and 41.93 with the ball from 16 first-class matches, while Maddinson averages 36.64 with the willow. However, Haddin believed Australian selectors should stick with the team's incumbent No.6.

"He's been a bit unlucky, to be honest," Haddin told Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday (December 21). "He's got a couple of good balls, he's (played his first two games) against two pink balls which is a bit different, so I'm glad they've given him Melbourne to give him the opportunity to get some runs and I hope they give him the rest of the series."

Not helping his situation, Maddinson has been overshadowed by fellow newcomers Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb, who have both highly impressed. Adding to his woes, he unluckily found himself at the crease in the second innings of the first Test with Australia on the cusp of declaring. Promptly, Maddinson holed out on the third delivery he faced, one ball after smashing his first boundary in Test cricket.

Haddin believed Maddinson deserved another chance but needed to score runs immediately. "I know (interim chairman of selectors) Trevor Hohns said when he picked this squad that you're going to have to be patient, and Nic Maddinson is one of those players I think," he said. "But you can't hide behind the fact he needs a big score."