Rogers backs Test recall

‘ Underestimated’ Maddinson good enough to wear the baggy green

Former Test batsman Nic Maddinson is “underestimated” and new Victorian coach Chris Rogers believes the lefthander has enough dedication to work his way back into a baggy green cap.

Maddinson, who played three Tests in 2016, scored more Sheffield Shield runs than anyone last summer despite only batting 10 times to reinsert his name among contenders for national selection.

He watched on as 13 hundreds were scored during the opening two rounds of this season, with Victoria’s start delayed because of strict quarantine rules in Adelaide that only let players train in group of four for two weeks.

Cricket Australia postponed their opening match amid fears the Vics were underprepared.

They will play their first game against South Australia on Friday and Maddinson, who pounded 780 runs at an average of 86.66 with a high score of 224 last summer, has seriously impressed former Test opener Rogers, who took over the Vics in August.

Despite his laconic demeanour, Rogers said Maddinson could not have produced the numbers he did last summer without “wanting it” and predicted more big things from the hugely talented 28- yearold. “I’ll be the first one to say I have misunderstood him,” Rogers said.

“I’ve sat down with him and I see a really intelligent player, a guy who is secretly a cricket tragic.

“He’ll watch footage and analyse, and he may not hit as much ( in the nets) as other guys, but he’s getting his learning in other ways. You don’t go and average whatever he did last year without wanting it. You can’t have that much success just by turning up. You have to put effort into it.”

Maddinson’s haul last summer was 81 more than boom batsman Cameron Green, who had five more innings.

It was 328 more runs than the next best return from the same amount of innings, Victorian teammate Marcus Harris’ 442 also from 10 innings.

Rogers conceded Maddinson was “different” but said the Victorian coaching staff had embraced that.

“He’s a little bit underestimated. I see a very intelligent and thoughtful player, something which has surprised me quite a bit,” Rogers said.

“And technically, he’s very, very good. He does it his own way, but if he goes and has another season like he did last year then he’ll push his name into ( Test) contention, but he’ll have to earn it.”