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Handscomb and the spotlight on being different

19th December, 2018
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19th December, 2018
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Since Steve Smith not so much threw the MCC coaching manual out the window as set fire to it, the appreciation of distinctive or unusual batting techniques has risen.

No longer are the manual’s directives a key to success, and some coaches have come around to ‘what works for the individual’ rather than formulaic directives. One of those heading this new-age philosophy is leading batting coach Trent Woodhill, one of Smith’s former tutors.

Woodhill has worked closely with the former Australian captain for many years, and last year relayed what a younger Smith said to him after a stint at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

“I learned to nod my head and not listen to a word they were saying,” the headstrong youngster declared. Smith, as we know, is an against-the-grain batsman who consistently backed his own ‘anti-establishment’ formula.

Through it, he became the world’s best, and we (naturally) celebrate it. A ball whipped from outside off-stump through mid-wicket is now ‘how does he do it?’ Rather than ‘how does he get away with it?’

Steve Smith

Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching a century. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

In a similar, albeit lesser vein, we did the same with Peter Handscomb two years ago. While some were perplexed with the odd technique he showcased when arriving on the international scene in November 2016, results would soon speak for themselves.

Two fifties and two hundreds in his first six Test innings meant talk was deservedly of his success rather than an unusually deep stance or oddly angled backlift. Runs, we are told, are currency, and Handscomb was cashing cheques.

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But the last 12 months have been onerous for the Victorian. Without passing 40 in his last ten Test innings, he has been found wanting at Test level. A decidedly poor Adelaide Test in last year’s Ashes, where James Anderson exposed a shuffling Handscomb in the most damning light, resulted in his axing.

He returned to the side largely through necessity in South Africa earlier this year when three teammates were sent home and now, after two further unsuccessful Tests against India, is again on the precipice of being dropped.

“He’s like a lamb to the slaughter,” Shane Warne said of his former Melbourne Stars teammate. “It’s not fair on Peter to keep picking him” he added, with faux concern. Warne, however, was just one of many experts who said Handscomb’s technique just isn’t holding up in Test cricket.

The problem for Handscomb is as much optics as results. His second innings dismissal to Ishant Sharma screamed of a batsman unsure of himself, tentative and caught on the crease to an inswinger which was hitting halfway up middle stump.

But in reality, with his deliberately-caught-on-the-crease style, it can be argued he simply missed an Ishant in-ducker, hardly the first batsman in the world to do so.

The fact is, however, it didn’t look good. And in cricket, looks matter. If you’re going to run with a homespun technique, you’d better pull it off (or so the collective thought goes).

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Technical eccentricities are celebrated – but only when they work. When form slips, they are highlighted to the nth degree. Fairly or unfairly, Handscomb’s unnatural technique means that form fluctuations will be under a greater microscope than almost all other players for the rest of his career.

While his current form is largely indefensible, he argues the criticism is somewhat two-faced.

“Yeah, it hurt a little bit,” he has said of the widespread scorn of his technique during the Ashes. “Especially 12 months earlier when I debuted I was making runs with the exact same technique and there weren’t any issues with it there.”

He conceded that techniques always require slight tinkering, but it was important to “not go too far away from what I know”. The 27-year-old essentially asked: If supposed ‘flaws’ in technique can be brushed aside in the good times, why are they picked apart so ruthlessly in the bad?

Peter Handscomb

Peter Handscomb of Australia looks dejected after being dismissed by Ishant Sharma of India during day three of the second match in the Test series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

His comments offer an insight into a headstrong personality, one with a steadfast belief in what works best for him. Recent comments from Australian batting coach Graeme Hick corroborate this: “He is very strong-minded about the way he wants to play the game,” Hick said.

“We have discussed various options in the past, which he tried. Whether he tried them for long enough and didn’t feel comfortable, I don’t know…there is a good chance he will back himself the way he plays.”

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Admirably strong-willed, or foolishly deluded?

Handscomb is another pupil of Woodhill, who strongly encourages players to play the way they feel most comfortable, ironing out kinks along the way.

Whether the Victorian continues with his unique style for the rest of his career is to be seen, but one thing is sure: everyone’s watching with eagle eyes.

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