Peter Handscomb returned to his best form last night with a swashbuckling 70 for the Melbourne Stars at the SCG in their Big Bash clash with the Sydney Sixers.
Gone was his negative batting in the first two Tests against India with 34, 14, 7, and 13 that forced selectors to leave him out of the MCG Test in favour of Mitchell Marsh.
Last night Handscomb opened the batting to get off the mark with a well-struck six off paceman Ben Dwarshuis on his way to a 22-ball half century with six fours, and three maximums – his 70 taking just 35 deliveries of pure ball-striking.
Before the naysayers start whinging Bash runs don’t compete with Test runs, any runs in any format are currency with the selectors, especially given the way Handscomb has been batting compared to last night.
It was only last weekend Test skipper Tim Paine predicted Handscomb would probably return for the SCG Test next week that will take turn, and Handscomb is the best in the squad combating spin.
Last night Handscomb dished out severe punishment to speed and spin alike, putting acid on Mitchell Marsh to get out of his slump as the Australians chase India’s 7d/443 that took 1018 deliveries.
Australia will resume at 0-8 on a wicket that’s playing games with the odd low skidder, it’s a track that should be buried in the trash can of history.
So it won’t be easy for Marsh to reply, especially as his last 11 visits to the Test crease have been forgettable with 6, 4, 45, 5, 16, 4, 0, 12, 0, 13 and 5 to make a mere 110 off a labouring 384 deliveries.
To his credit Marsh gave away his usual half-track rubbish with the ball to turn in a career equally 26 overs in taking 0-51 with a team-high 1.96 economy rate.
He gave the three frontline quicks of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood a deserved rest in the 36-degree heat to more than play his part in making the Indian batsmen earn their runs the hard way.
That was an unexpected bonus from Marsh, but runs today will be the more meaningful for his immediate future.
A summary of the second day wouldn’t be complete with recognising Cummins’ sustained attack as the only one to get something out of this dreadful wicket to finish with 3-72 off 34 overs in that heat – he really is an outstanding Test cricketer.
The unluckiest was champion offie Nathan Lyon who toiled so manfully for 48 overs in taking 1-110, but had three catches dropped by Peter Siddle – fielding as a substitute – Travis Head, and Cummins of all people who has hands like a bucket.
So the scene is set for the Australians to bat for two days as well.
Failure to do so, and only India can win this Test to take a 2-1 series lead with the SCG to play.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
DH omg Need we remind you that scoring runs in T20 hit and giggle is irrelevant to Test cricket. Ditto bowling also. Or do you know zero about cricket?
Slapsy
Roar Rookie
Exactly,if it is good enough for rugby not to pick 7s players for the Wallabies,then why is cricket even considering these dills from hillbilly cricket. We have a competition called the Sheffield Shield,which was once considered the benchmark for developing test cricketers. What has happened to it?
jammel
Guest
Yep - I wouldn't be looking to have Mitch Marsh in the Test XI again. Mitch Marsh has been given many goes, home and away. A Test average of 26 just isn't good enough IMO - there hasn't been anyone that I can remember in my lifetime who's played so many Tests in the top six with such a poor return. He isn't near the top 6 (or 15!!) best batsmen in Australia IMO. I wouldn't write off Handscomb completely yet though. But I would prefer Ferguson or Maxwell getting an extended run - or Burns down the order. We definitely need both of Smith and Warner when they are next available. My top six for the Ashes would be: Warner Renshaw Khawaja Smith SMarsh Burns Reserves = Head MHarris
Burwale
Guest
Good article the other day on abc site suggesting we break the cricket season into three. First shield and tests, middle big bash, and then a 50 over comp with focus on neighbors SA and Nz. Idea was to provide some structure and I thought was a good start. I don’t want Handscomb or any Marsh. Surely Maxwell deserves consideration - or pick a youngster who is the nxt big thing . Really we can’t do much worse and might set us up for the future
Gordon Smith
Guest
Wade and Short must open in the 4th test after their form last night ????
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Queensland are happy that Test players dont play shield cricket, this is how they won the trophy. their opponent were missing their good players
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
First grade cricket would be a better option, might get to use proper techniques while batting
EGC
Guest
Why would anyone ever waste their time playing these games when people without a clue can come up with this sort of garbage? Thankfully, all the players and coaching staff know better to listen to any of the outright bigotry and hate and just play the game better than another not-ever-good-enough-to-play-at-the-same-or even-similar-level-armchair-expert.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Well played Gordon. Please Roarers, let's discuss test cricket and our thoughts on the way forward without wasting our precious time elevating this beach cricket to a plane it surely doesnt deserve !
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
It speaks volumes that even seasoned cricket writers understand that our selectors are so desperate they will view a slogging Big Bash innings on a good batting pitch with the field spread as valid for test selection. The reality is that we have almost no test quality batsmen. We have some with potential but potential doth butter no parsnips. Nothing will change until the Shield competition is valued and scheduled by CA as the serious breeding ground for test selection. Until then, we will continue to see players with mediocre first class careers tried and found wanting at test level, by world class bowling attacks. Anyone wondering why India is the number one ranked test side, look at the scheduling of their domestic first class comp and the IPL money spinner… No conflict at all.
Gordon Smith
Guest
I never suggested that Hanscombe was not selected for the next test and I personally think he should. That however has nothing to do with a BB white ball innings. My criticism was you linking that as an argument for his selection. The argument that BB form should influence test selection was my only rebut and you have failed to elaborate. My example of Pujara was to highlight how the two are not related. My nose is capable of nuance thank you very much.
John Allan
Guest
I'm old enough, David to have watched you play. Unfortunately Cricket Australia have gradually downplayed the importance of Shield Cricket. Even extended the BBL for revenue purposes. In the 60's, Test players played Shield regularly. NSW boasted Simpson, Thomas, Harvey, O' Neill, Benaud, Davidson & opposing bowlers were tested against quality batsmen & vice versa. Unfortunately our struggling "top 6" are just about the best we have as their potential replacements are not "banging the door down".
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Spot on spanner 20 over rubbish on tiny grounds don’t count for much
Targa
Guest
Surely Glenn Maxwell would be the best option to bat 6 (and bowl some spin) in the 4th test in Sydney. Re M Marsh and Handscomb I don't think either would make a first class (Plunket Shield) team in New Zealand.
Squirellgrip
Roar Rookie
Have watched Handscomb closely in his test innings and also saw his BBL innings the other night. Some good signs there but also quite a few very streaky shots. I am not convinced. The ways in which he got out against India are more likely to remain front and centre in the selectors minds then some runs in a low/no pressure smash and grab game. The tragedy is that we are even talking about Hanscomb and Marsh, neither deserve to be in the test team, but there are few banging on the door. Sad state of affairs.
David Lord
Expert
Think past your nose Gordon, there are no Sheffield Shield games for Peter Handscomb to regain some touch, only a BBL. The selectors want Handscomb for a turning SCG Test as he's the best against spin in the squad. There are three alternatives to slot Handscomb in, drop Aaron Finch and open with Usman Khawaja, drop Shaun Marsh, or drop Mitchell Marsh, but that would leave the attack short of a bowler and so far at the MCG Mitchell has bowled the best of his on-off career to give the big three a deserved rest in the heat.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
Well said David he sounds like a moron but i will say that having any Marsh's in the team means 2 easy wickets for very little or no runs neither are up to this standard and should never play test again but i do put a lot of the blame on the selectors they need to be sacked as of now and Langer have no say in team selections whats so ever or we will have the whole WA team playing for Australia.
Gordon Smith
Guest
Pujara wouldn’t get a game in the poorest big bash team and that highlights the ridiculous nature of the authors thesis.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Haha - good response Dave - well done. I'm a sprightly 65 and love my test cricket matey and have enjoyed your writing for years. Down to business - I'm dissappointed a writer of your experience could describe an innings in T20 as "swashbuckling" - its a bloody beach cricket slog mate, performed on ovals the size of handkerchiefs against club bowlers who are only permitted 4 overs ! My two points again are : Handscomb will never be seen at this level.again and your article is indeed, crap. I look forward to crossing swords with you again, cheers Spanner.
John
Guest
I dont think runs in 20/20 cricket should count towards test selection. Two completely different style of games.