Australia make late changes [Source: AFP]Cricket Australia has made a couple of late changes to the Australian Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. New South Wales cricketer Nic Maddinson will be making his comeback to the Australian side as a replacement of injured wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis.The Australian selection committee also named one uncapped star in the form of 29-year-old Sam Harper. Nic Maddinson returns to squad with uncapped Sam HarperCricket Australia has recalled Nic Maddinson back into the Australian Test squad after a gap of 10 years. The cricketer played the last of his three Test matches for Australia way back in December 2016 against Pakistan at the MCG.Just last year, Maddinson also overcame testicular cancer following a successful treatment. Notably, the 34-year-old did not play any first-class cricket in the previous Australian summer. Also Read- Josh Hazlewood's Test Spot In Doubt As Australia Mull Strategic Switch In South AfricaHe has been added a back-up batter for Australia after Josh Inglis was confirmed to be ruled out of Australia squad for the upcoming first Test of the series against South Africa. Sam Harper is the second of the two beneficiaries included in Australia squad for the Test series. Aged 29, Harper has played 68 first class matches in his career, aggregating 2,802 runs in the process at an average of 27.20.Sam Harper, Nic Maddinson added for flexibility, explains selectorAustralia’s selection chief and former captain George Bailey said that Sam Harper was included in the squad to get an additional wicketkeeping option. He also added that with Josh Inglis continuing his recovery phase, the addition of Nic Maddinson will provide flexibility to the Australian batting order.He said “Sam gives us wicketkeeping cover as Josh continues his recovery while Nic provides flexibility throughout the batting order.”Here is a look at the updated Australian squad for the upcoming first Test of the three-match series against South Africa.Australia updated squad for 1st Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green (subject to availability), Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.The first Test of the three-match South Africa vs Australia series will be played between October 9 and October 13 at Kingsmead in Durban.Also Read- Hardik Pandya’s Trade Deal: CSK, KKR, LSG, DC All Teams Unwilling- Report
