New South Wales left-hander Nic Maddinson has broken his silence on what he calls a “pretty daunting” six-month battle with testicular cancer. The 33-year-old, who has three Test caps and a handful of white-ball outings for Australia, found a lump in March, had surgery in April and then endured nine weeks of chemotherapy through the winter.
“My recent tests were all good, and I can go about getting back into cricket, which I love,” he said earlier this week, sounding relieved more than triumphant.
Early detection and the doctor’s ear
The saga started at the tail-end of last season. Maddinson was already feeling flat after being left out of New South Wales’ final Sheffield Shield match. During his post-season medical review he mentioned the lump to state doctor John Orchard. A scan followed almost immediately, revealing a tumour that required surgery the very next day.
Seven weeks on, further tests showed the cancer had spread. “Once I found out I had to have chemo, that was pretty hard to deal with,” Maddinson told Nine Newspapers. “It had spread to parts of my abdominal lymph nodes and lung. That was a bit where it was pretty daunting.”
Treatment: the harder overs
Chemo started in late May and ran deep into July. “By the second or third week, I lost all my hair. I was feeling pretty average,” he said. “I was taking types of steroids to manage side effects, but they would keep me up at night. I’d be at the hospital from about 11 am to 4 pm. Then a sleep. Then I’d force myself to have dinner. I’d sleep until about 1 am, but sometimes I’d then be awake until 6 am. I found that difficult. I was super drained and felt like I had to sleep 24/7.”
His wife, Bianca, pregnant with their second child, left her dental job to take charge of their toddler. “I felt guilty. I couldn’t do anything around the house,” Maddinson admitted.
Quiet circle of support
Most team-mates were kept in the dark; leg-spinner Adam Zampa was one of the few entrusted with the news. State staff, meanwhile, drew up a flexible conditioning plan. Coaches reasoned that, even if Maddinson could manage only short sessions, the familiar rhythm of nets and throw-downs might help.
The road back
Chemo finished on 14 July. Ten days later he padded up for a gentle hit. Clearance for full training came eight weeks after that, and he has been increasing loads ever since—basic Yo-Yo fitness tests first, longer stints in the nets this month. Sydney Premier Cricket looks the likely first step, perhaps followed by a second-XI hit-out. A Shield recall, if it comes, would be November at the earliest.
Long-term goals remain realistic rather than grand. “I would still love to play Test cricket again, but I’m more realistic,” he said. “The older you get, the less likely it is to happen.” He also acknowledged last season’s missed chance: “I had a really good opportunity last year and I just didn’t really grab it. I’m just really excited to try and play cricket again. I was dropped at the end of last year, so I’m not expecting to be straight back in the side.”
For now, simply being in the selection frame feels like victory enough. “The most important thing would be to say I am available. That would be a nice day.”
Measured optimism
From a New South Wales perspective, Maddinson’s return would bolster a batting group that leaned heavily on youngsters last summer. His experience facing the new ball and ability to accelerate against spin remain valuable commodities, even if national honours are no longer the main conversation.
Cricket Australia’s medical staff say testicular cancer survival rates are high—above 95 per cent if caught early—and several players, including England’s Tom Curran, have returned successfully in recent years. Maddinson’s case follows that general trend, though each recovery is, of course, its own innings.
In his own words, the next challenge is refreshingly simple: “Get fit, score runs and, hopefully, enjoy the game again.”
