Australia Test batter Nic Maddinson reveals fight with cancer, says chemotherapy was successful
Former Australia Test batter Nic Maddinson has revealed that he spent the majority of 2025 fighting a battle with testicular cancer, which had spread to parts of his abdominal lymph nodes and lung.
Maddinson last played competitive cricket back in March this year, representing New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield First-Class tournament in Australia. He underwent surgery to have the tumour removed a short time later, before finding out that the cancer had spread.
“Once I found out I had to have chemo, that was pretty hard to deal with. It had spread to parts of my abdominal lymph nodes and lung. That was a bit where it was pretty daunting,” Maddinson told Nine newspapers.
“By the second or third week, I lost all my hair. I was feeling pretty average. I was taking types of steroids to manage side effects, but they would keep me up at night … I’d sleep until about 1 a.m., but sometimes I’d then be awake until 6 a.m. I found that difficult. I was super drained and felt like I had to sleep 24/7. It was the slowest and longest nine weeks,” he added.
Maddinson’s nine-week chemotherapy started in mid-May and finished in mid-July. In September, the 33-year-old was informed that the treatment was a success. On Thursday, the left-handed batter had a practice session with some New South Wales squad members as he takes his first steps towards a return to cricket.
Maddinson played three Tests for Australia in 2016 and featured in six T20Is between 2013 and 2018. He also played three Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru between 2014 and 2015.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
