BBL 2017/18: Peter Handscomb Given Green Signal to Play for Melbourne Stars

Australia batsman Peter Handscomb has been released to play the Big Bash League game for Melbourne Stars against Perth Scorchers on Boxing Day (December 26).

Handscomb will rejoin the Australian team on day three of the Boxing Day Ashes Test.

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He was earlier part of Australia’s practice sessions and also did wicketkeeping drills to keep himself on standby had Tim Paine not joined the squad. Paine joined the team well in time before the fourth Test.

Australian skipper, Steven Smith, confirmed his playing XI on the eve of the game with one change, which meant that Handscomb remained on sidelines.

Earlier, Handscomb could have been part of the T20 side, but he opted against the decision to play and remained with the Test squad. He played the first two Ashes Test with little success. He could just manage 62 runs in the three innings of the two Tests played. Ahead of the Perth Test, selectors added another pace option in form Mitchell Marsh to the 13-member squad and he went on to make a place for himself in the playing XI, replacing Handscomb.

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He played an innings of 181 and shared 301 runs for the fifth wicket with Steven Smith and fixed his place in the playing XI for remaining two games too.

The one game BBL stint will give Handscomb some match practice, and in case the team needs his services in the next game, he can always walk in the playing XI.

Both Australia and England have announced their playing XI for the Boxing day Test. Australia has been forced to leave out an injured Micthell Starc, and Jackson Bird will bowl in his place. England, too, has a forced change, as an injured Craig Overton has to be superseded by a debutant, Tom Curran.

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