If Peter Handscomb has taught the cricketing public anything, then it is that if you make big runs at the first-class level, you give yourself every chance to have success in your early days of Test cricket.
Seems logical no doubt, but we have seen many batsmen over recent years picked who perhaps haven’t made the type of runs Handscomb had before getting the call up to the Test side. It is not surprising then that those players never had the immediate success that Handscomb has had.
It’s quite refreshing to see someone dominate at first-class level and then take that form into Test cricket. It just helps back the argument that sides should always be picked on form for so many reasons.
Out of all the changes to the batting department to the Test side in recent times, Handscomb has been the real find. Should that come as a real surprise to many? Certainly not.
Those who have watched Handscomb during his time at Victoria know there is a seriously good player within him. It won’t be long until everyone worldwide knows his name.
In his short Test career thus far he has a hundred and two half centuries next to his name. For someone who is only in their third Test that is more than satisfactory.
They are statistics that back the fact he belongs at Test level and no doubt he will be starting to believe that as of this second.
A player who many look at and automatically think of as unorthodox, but it is completely irrelevant when you see the ability he has. He has his own method and that’s fine. Australia’s best batsmen, Steve Smith, is different in the way he approaches things.
People will sit back and say Handscomb needs to change, but if something works then stick with it. Everything is done with such ease and elegance. He has a method that looks different, but it is brutally effective.
What has been very noticeable about this man is the fact he has so much confidence in himself. He doesn’t look to get too caught up in the moment and plays with a level head.
We’ve seen many young cricketers come into Test cricket and perhaps struggle with the mental side of the game. It would be such an intense environment to come into and that no doubt has an impact on many young cricketers starting out in Test cricket, but Handscomb looks as cool as anyone.
You wouldn’t think he’s only in his third Test match.
He no doubt understands how to play on Australian wickets, but he comes across as someone who will do well all around the world. As mentioned, nothing seems to bother him. Whether it is swinging, seaming or spinning, he will handle himself appropriately.
He plays all forms of bowling well which leaves him in great stead going forward.
He has been hailed by many as the best player of spin in Australia. If he can go over to the sub-continent and have success it will just further show how much of a talent Australia have at their disposal.
Not many Australian batsmen have had success over in India in recent years, perhaps he could buck the trend.
If his early days are anything to go by then he will be a player in Australia’s middle order for many years to come. Australian cricket is very much going through a rebuild and it could be argued that Handscomb is the face of it.
A man who understands what works for him and what doesn’t will see him play a critical part in getting Australian Test cricket back to the level it needs to be at.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah I am making assumptions with Handscomb keeping. I am assuming he is a good keeper for starters. Him keepoing and batting at 7 does make our batting look very strong. Otherwise, he stays at 5 and someone like Whiteman keeps and bats 7. He's a very decent bat too - better bat and keeper than Wade.
jameswm
Roar Guru
(sorry can't respond or edit) This season Agar is the 2nd best performed spinner in the Shield - 16 wickets at 27, economy 3.11 (strike rate 53). Holland is no.1 - 27 wickets at 18 e/r 2.7 (s/r 41). PLaying against Patterson has helped him, and hurt Patterson. I think there's a theory Patterson doesn't play sin well, not helpful with the Indian tour on the horizon. They are the only two spinners in the top 15 bowlers (in terms of wickets taken)! Slim pickings. SOK is 11 wickets in 2 games at 19, e/r 2.04. Zampa by the way - 3 games, 9 wickets @ 47, e/r 4.1 and s/r 68. Not the sort of figures that get you picked.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#jameswm Handscomb doesn't particularly want to wicket keep - he had that at club level as an extra string to his bow - but has only really flourished as a batsman in the last 2 years by NOT wicket keeping. It might be a 'rob Peter to pay Paul' situation were he to be handed the gloves. Currently - his success at #5 has stopped the rot of Australian collapses. It's given Steve Smith someone to bat with - something severely lacking in Hobart in particular. Note that fact that Handscomb is batting in partnerships, 92 with Smith yesterday; 172 with Smith at the Gabba; and a 99 run stand on debut with Khawaja. Just alone - looking at the 5th wicket partnerships immediately prior - 1st test at Perth v RSA : 0 & 50, 2nd test in Hob v RSA : 9 & 5. So - just for now - that does look like one seriously critical problem that is fixed. (notable too, that in each of those cases it was the #6, M.Marsh then Ferguson, who was 5th out leaving the 'set' batsman with the keeper and tail). I also like that his red ink 35* in the 2nd dig at the Gabba was one for the team, off only 26 balls, setting up for the declaration - he was well able to adjust his game, given in tighter situations he has ground out the early stages of his innings - in particular that first innings at the Gabba where much hard work was required to get established and bat through the evening session with Smith. Out of the 5 changes after that game - Bird has arguably worked. Wade hasn't produced the runs and got one stumping/missed another (on that front no better or worse than Nevill). Renshaw shows enough to be regarded a long term prospect but still a bit raw and probably should allow S.Marsh in for India, and he return back to the Shield and further develop his game for his next more permanent crack at opener. Maddinson - well - shouldn't have been picked to start with and should certainly be relieved of his position.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Not sure if he's given up keeping, more a case of not having had a chance to do it. And I think you're underselling Agar's bowling. He might not be there yet, but I think he's potentially our 3rd best spinner right now.
Matthew H
Guest
Handscomb 7 and Agar 8 decent?! That sounds very strong IMO. Hasn't Handscomb given up keeping though? And Agar's bowling seems much more like second spinner on a turner rather than front line.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I still reckon if this guy can keep well, then we play him as keeper and batting at 7. That makes our batting so strong and deep. Right now we get no runs past no.5. Also, Starc etc are batting a place too high. We need a bowler who can bat well at 8. I guess if you had Pattinson and Cummins in then you'd have three no.9s batting at 8-10, which wouldn't be too bad. But we don't. And I hope someone really knowledgable is working on Agar's bowling, because if he can become our best spinner (or close to it), then Handscomb 7 and Agar 8 is decent. As I understand it, he doesn't keep for Vic because Wade has seniority (Wade seems big on that).
blanco
Guest
I like the fact that he really struggle against Aamir and yet still did not throw it away, but battle to score a half century. I waited earnestly during that phase expecting him to play a rash stroke against Aamir but boy he showed great mental strength. Certainly one to look out for. He and Renshaw are good selections, I would definitely stick with them, add Sam Whiteman to that list and thats the way forward for Australia.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Scoring half-centuries like no other .