Follow UsNic Maddinson, who made his Australia debut at the age of 24, did not know that he could catch cancer at as early an age as 33. Out of the Australian set-up, having last played for the national team in a T20I in 2018, the batter is now battling cancer and looking to get back to playing for his state side, New South Wales.
More than missing cricket, he was feeling guilty as he was unable to help his pregnant wife during his chemo days. He was all drowsy and couldn’t do a single thing by himself.
"I felt guilty. I couldn't do anything around the house,” said the 33-year-old to Nine Newspapers, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Relieving that harrowing experience, Maddinson advised everyone to get themselves checked as soon as possible.
"When I found out I needed chemo, it hit me hard because I almost didn't go. I thought it would go away. To know that I caught it probably as early as I could have, and it had still spread into other parts of my body, that was scary,” he added.
Recounting how he spent his days during the chemotherapy, Maddinson, who has so far appeared in three Tests and 6 T20Is for the national team, said, “By the second or third week, I had lost all my hair. I was feeling pretty average.”
“I was taking different 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 I 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,” he added.
He will be turning 34 in December, and therefore Maddinson is realistic about his chances. His primary goal is to get back to cricket and then get back to his state team and then think about getting back to the national set-up somehow or the other.
“My recent tests were all good, and I can go about getting back into cricket, which I love. I would still love to play Test cricket again, but I'm more realistic,” he reckoned.
Charting his comeback vision, the man with 7,832 First-Class runs and 18 centuries to his name, said, "I had an excellent 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.”
"The most important thing would be to say I am available. That would be a nice day,” he added.
Maddinson is back in training and expected to play grade cricket before getting back into the New South Wales main team via the Second XI route.
Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ tomdecent