Peter Handscomb has set his sights on a top-order spot at the Hobart Hurricanes after signing a two-year deal with the BBL franchise.
The Victoria captain has played for the Melbourne Stars since the inaugural 20-over competition in 2011/12 but wasn’t offered a contract for the upcoming summer.
Handscomb said he spoke to several teams late before settling on a move south.
“It was a really, really tough decision,” he said on Wednesday.
“It came down to … potentially being able to bat higher in the order and giving myself the best chance to showcase what I can do in T20 cricket and not just be pigeon-holed into that middle-order role.”
Handscomb was the Stars only remaining player from the first BBL season.
Last tournament he averaged 31 at a strike rate of 129 for the Stars, who finished runners-up, and batted at No.5 in the final behind dynamos Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.
“They’ve got an amazing group of players and it starts to become hard to fit everyone in,” Handscomb said.
“I’ve got absolutely no hard feelings against the Stars.”
The 29-year-old, who said a long-term goal is to return to the Test side, looms as a key part of the Hurricanes following the retirement of George Bailey and departure of South African import David Miller.
The BBL season is slated to begin on December 3 but Cricket Australia has conceded the schedule could change because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia may be required to select larger squads for the summer and place them into hubs, potentially keeping more players than normal out of the BBL.
Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short have formed a formidable opening combination for Hobart but coach Adam Griffith said Handscomb brings versatility.
“(We have) a pretty strong top order that we’ve had for a while now but that could be dictated by Australia selection,” Griffith said.
“We’re not limiting anyone in our battling line-up to positions.”
Handscomb has played 40 internationals across the three formats but wasn’t part of Australia’s preliminary 26-man preliminary squad for the current England white-ball tour.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Yes.Correct. my bad.
Marty
Roar Rookie
I agree but think that will change over time. T20 is relatively new and we are still figuring out the best way to go about it. It’s not that long ago that talk of batting your best batsman at 4 would have been scoffed at. Either way I rekon he still has more chance angling for a middle order spot rather than being number 8 in line for a top 3 spot.
Tom
The things is though, the selectors time and time again are showing that they are more likely to simply pick the top order batsmen with the most runs and then try to manufacture them in to middle order players. Head, Stoinis, Short, Wade and now Philippe making XI's and squads while we continue to ignore anyone that bats lower than 3 aside from Maxwell.
Tom
The word on the street is that Malan is close to signing with them too.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Agree, you’re best chance of breaking into the Australian team atm is to be ‘pigeon-holed’ as a middle order specialist. Maybe he’s got one eye on the international T20 circuit and is looking to show case his skills and make some $$$, which is perfectly understandable for a professional cricketer.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
Siddle is contracted to the Adelaide Strikers in the big bash. He's gone to Tasmania to play shield and 50 over cricket.
AREH
Roar Guru
Has Siddle signed with the Hurricanes along with the move to TAS? Missed that if so
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure I get the logic here? Batting higher in T20 cricket is far easier than batting down the order. Marcus Stoinis has proven that. There's a logjam of guys all good enough to open or bat 3 for Australia, whereas we've got issues down the list. All Handscomb is doing is joining a logjam by trying to bat up the order. IMO, he'd be far better served batting 5 or 6 and showing what he can do closing out games.
Ace
Roar Rookie
The experience of Handscomb and Siddle will be of great benefit to Hobart particularly with George not available. Depending on Australian selections it could be a good line up with Wade, Short, Handscomb and McDermott at the top. Siddle and Meredith opening. Boland and Faulkner assisting. Three spots for younger ones to play for