'Braver to speak': Test hopeful pulls out of crucial selection match
Test hopeful Nic Maddinson has withdrawn from Australia A’s tour match against Pakistan next week, citing a need to concentrate on his mental health.
Maddinson will be replaced in the side by Cameron Bancroft for the match, which begins in Perth on Monday.
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The Victorian batsman is pursuing his first Test match in three years. There has been no indication as to how long Maddinson will remain out of the game.
Former Test skipper Steve Waugh called for Maddinson to be included in the summer Test team, after a string of impressive performances for Victoria.
Fellow Victorian Glenn Maxwell also announced he would be taking time off to deal with mental health concerns in recent weeks.
Australia A coach Graeme Hick praised Maddinson for having the courage to speak up about his issues.
“Nic has made the right decision and we are all behind him,” Hick said.
“It is braver to speak up than to suffer in silence and I applaud Nic for having the courage to put his health first.
“While saddened to see Nic stand down, we welcome Cam Bancroft to the Australia A XI.”
Cricket Australia:
Nic Maddinson has withdrawn from Australia A’s tour match against Pakistan on mental health grounds.
Cricket Australia supports Maddinson’s decision, which was relayed to team management on Friday.
Cameron Bancroft will replace Maddinson.— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) November 9, 2019
Aussies thump Pakistan in T20 series
Swing king Mitchell Starc has delivered a searing spell to help Australia to defeat Pakistan by 10 wickets and clinch their T20 series in Perth.
Chasing just 107 to win at Optus Stadium on Friday night, Aaron Finch (52 not out) and David Warner (48 not out) steered the hosts to a 2-0 series victory with 49 balls to spare.
Pakistan's bowlers had no answers for the destructive duo as Australia extended their T20 international winning streak to eight games - their best since 2010.
But it was Starc who set up the clinical victory, cashing in on a green-tinged pitch to help Australia to restrict Pakistan to 8-106.
Starc (2-29) snared the key wicket of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and skittled No.3 Mohammad Rizwan to be on a hat-trick in just the third over.