Dropped Peter Handscomb Opts to Stay with Australian Team over BBL Stint
Published - 22 Dec 2017, 12:26 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM
Australian batsman Peter Handscomb, who was dropped from the first XI for the third Test at the WACA, Perth opts to stay with the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test over giving a shot at the T20 tournament KFC Big Bash League.
Notably, all-rounder, Mitchell Marsh was given the nod ahead of Handscomb as he remains to be in the 13-man squad for the next Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Marsh registered a magnificent 181 runs in Australia’s win over England by an innings and 41 runs in the third Test.
Marsh’s debut century implies that Handscomb will have to carry the drinks in the next Test unless there is an injury to one of Australia’s top six. Handscomb’s next opportunity to don the Baggy Green is likely to come on March 1, when the Aussies start a four-Test series in South Africa.
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The right-handed Handscomb would have made into the squad for Melbourne Stars season opener at BBL; however, he was determined to get back his place having spent all the five-days at the WACA nets.
“You need to be there ready to go with your long-format, Test skills. Rather than going back and trying to slog the white ball around and potentially changing a few things in your game. It’s good to stay around the squad and make sure I’m ready to go if called upon,” Handscomb was heard saying while talking to the reporters earlier today.
Handscomb had a mixed feeling about his omission admitting he couldn’t disagree on the logic of going in with an all-rounder on a flat WACA deck.
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“They were long fielding innings. I can’t bowl, Mitch can bowl. It sucks having to sit on the sidelines. I was frustrated to be left out, but that’s part of it, and we won the Test and won the Ashes, so there are no issues. I know how well I can play. I’m pretty confident I’ll make runs if selected,” Handscomb signed off.
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