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Nic Maddinson to take mental health break

3 minute read

Nic Maddinson has been replaced by Cameron Bancroft in the Australia A team to face Pakistan in Perth after withdrawing on mental health grounds.

NIC MADDINSON of the Sixers bats during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars at SCG in Sydney, Australia.
NIC MADDINSON of the Sixers bats during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Nic Maddinson has withdrawn from Australia A's tour match against Pakistan after becoming the latest national cricketer to seek help with mental health issues.

Cameron Bancroft will replace Maddinson in the XI for the three-day clash starting on Monday in Perth, which will serve as a bat-off ahead of the first Test.

Maddinson's decision was relayed to team management on Friday, and Cricket Australia says he will be given all the support that he needs.

The Victorian had been in excellent form, notably scoring a double-century in last month's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

National batting coach Graeme Hick, who will oversee the Australia A side at Optus Stadium, said Maddinson would have plenty of support.

"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."

It comes after Glenn Maxwell last week withdrew from Australia's T20 squad to address his own mental health struggles.

Will Pucovski was also given time away from Australia's squad last summer to deal with well-being matters.

"Mental health is a challenge faced by Australian communities and elite sporting organisations and cricket is no different," CA sport science boss Alex Kountouris said.

"Like other professional sports, we are working very hard to better understand the challenges faced by our players and staff so we can support them.

"We are all proud to work in an industry where players can feel safe to talk about these issues.

"It goes without saying that we offer all our players the support they need in the difficult times, but importantly we are working on education, resourcing and research to better understand how we do this."

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