'When Someone Directly Message You, Calling You Shit' – Peter Handscomb Reveals On Facing Social Media Trolls In Early Days Of Career

Australian batter Peter Handscomb opened up on being victim of social media trolls and bully. Handscomb made his international debut in November 2016 in the home Test series against South Africa.

He scored 54 in the first innings and stitched a 99-run stand with Usman Khawaja for the fourth wicket. He hit the winning runs in Australia’s consolation win in the three-match Test series, which they lost 1-2 to Faf du Plessis & co.

However, the final innings paved way for Handscomb as a regular member of the Australian Test side.

Handscomb scored a couple of centuries in the home Test series against Pakistan in the 2016-17 three-match series.

I found Facebook and Twitter probably the worst: Peter Handscomb

In the 2017/18 Ashes, Handscomb scored 62 runs in three innings but couldn’t counter the sharpness of England pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. He was subsequently dropped from the team for the third Test in Perth.

The Victorian wicketkeeper-batter revealed that he was questioned by social media users on Twitter and Facebook for his place in the Australian team.

“I found those two platforms (Facebook and Twitter) probably the worst in terms of people having direct access to you, to just randomly sledge you and take you down,” Handscomb told Cricket.com.au.

“When someone’s taking the time out to directly message you, calling you shit or ‘How dare you be in the Australian side’ – that kind of stuff – it’s hard not to take that to heart, especially (given) I was quite young at the time.

“I got off them during the Ashes (in 2017-18) and that was definitely one of the biggest things that helped.

“Being able to either not listen to it or zone it out (is important). Which is easy to do at a state level because there’s not that much scrutiny and fewer cameras to sort of pick apart your technique,” he added.

I was so clear when I first played for Australia: Peter Handscomb

Hanscomb was part of Australia’s tour of India in 2017 and played a crucial role in forcing a draw in the Ranchi Test with unbeaten 72. He was involved in a 124-run stand with Shaun Marsh as the duo kept Indian bowlers at bay.

Handscomb played his last Test for Australia in the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.

“I was so clear when I first played for Australia, in terms of how I was going to bat, how I was going to score my runs,” Handscomb said.

“Then, as is the case with international cricket, you start to get found out the more you play. There’s more cameras, more media attention and more scrutiny, which started to create that doubt in my mind.

“And then as soon as I start second guessing myself, then I start losing one of my strengths. I feel now like I’m close, if not at that same sort of mental spot again,” he added.

Hanscomb leads the Victoria Cricket team in domestic competitions like the Sheffield Shield and the Marsh Cup.

The 31-year-old is currently captaining Middlesex in the County Championship Division Two 2022. He scored 79 in the last game against Sussex as Middlesex won by seven wickets.

Also Read: Australia’s Peter Handscomb Tests Positive For COVID-19 While Playing In County Championship