Nic Maddinson is setting his sights on a return to Test cricket and a resurgence in T20 cricket as he gears up for the upcoming season. After a stellar finish in the Sheffield Shield with Victoria, the 31-year-old left-hander has returned to his roots in New South Wales, hoping to capitalize on his current form and reignite his international career.

Maddinson’s move back to New South Wales comes after a successful second half of the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season, where he notched up three centuries in as many matches. These performances were all the more impressive given that he missed the first part of the season due to an ACL injury. His decision to return to Sydney, where his cricket journey began, signals his ambition to push for a Test recall.

The idea of donning the Baggy Green again is something Maddinson admits occupies his thoughts frequently. “Probably [think about it] most days to be fair,” Maddinson revealed in an interview with ESPNcricinfo. “When you start coming into cricket, we’ve been outdoor training on the center wickets, [Josh] Hazlewood and [Mitchell] Starc have started to roll through, it’s hard not to think about the progression of your career.”

Maddinson last played Test cricket in 2016-17 against South Africa and Pakistan, a stint that saw him manage just 27 runs in four innings. However, he believes he is now a far more accomplished player. “Ten times better, maybe more,” he said. “Think I’m probably a much better player than I was even three or four years ago.”

His recent form in the Sheffield Shield backs up his claim, with an average of 50.63 during his six seasons with Victoria. Maddinson’s return to New South Wales is not just about personal goals; he is also eager to help his state regain its former glory. “I love playing the game and want to help New South Wales win, but also from a personal point of view still feel like I offer something at international cricket and would love to have that chance again,” he added.

Aside from his Test aspirations, Maddinson is also eyeing a turnaround in his T20 career after joining Sydney Thunder. His recent performances in the Big Bash League (BBL) have been underwhelming, particularly last season with Melbourne Renegades, where he managed just 48 runs in four innings. However, Maddinson is optimistic that his move to Thunder will help him rediscover his T20 form.

“I’ve been pretty disappointed with how I’ve been probably since I left the Sydney Sixers [in 2018],” Maddinson admitted. “For me, what’s important is having a decent block of longer-form cricket to channel into BBL and then expand your game from there.”

The prospect of opening the batting alongside David Warner at Sydney Thunder is another exciting challenge for Maddinson. The two shared a 233-run stand in a Sheffield Shield match back in 2011, and Maddinson is hopeful of rekindling that partnership. “To think we could be batting together again, it’s been quite a long time,” he noted.

As Maddinson prepares for the new season, his dual ambitions of a Test recall and a T20 resurgence are clear. With a renewed focus and determination, he is ready to prove himself once again on the biggest stages of cricket.