Nic Maddinson takes break from cricket

Nic Maddinson may not play top-level cricket again this summer after the batsman decided he needed a break from the game.

Amid sudden change in the Australian ranks the New South Welshman was drafted in for a Test debut against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval.

For most cricketers a summer in which they wear the baggy green for the first time is one to remember but the 25-year-old's season quickly turned sour.

He was out for a duck after 12 balls in his only innings in that first match, though he retained his spot for the first two Tests against Pakistan as the selectors looked to build continuity.

The middle-order bat scored just one and four in Brisbane before reaching 22 off 55 balls in the innings victory in the Boxing Day Test.

"Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW advises that Australian and NSW batsman Nic Maddinson will not be available for selection due to personal reasons, until further notice," the bodies said in a statement.

Maddinson was dropped from the team ahead of the third Test in Sydney, returning to the Sydney Sixers in the run to the Big Bash League finals.

His confidence was shot, however, as he reached double figures only three times in seven innings.

"At the end of the day I've had my chance and I couldn't grab it," Maddinson said of his international opportunity recently.

"I actually haven't even thought about playing Test cricket again since."

Maddinson missed NSW's crushing victory over Melbourne when the Sheffield Shield resumed last week.

The Blues host Queensland at the SCG from Friday as the battle for the final heats up with just four matches remaining in the season.