Search

show me:

Handscomb wants Shield runs to do talking

3 minute read

Victorian captain Peter Handscomb is out to start the Sheffield Shield season with a flourish as he tries to force his way back into the Test team.

PETER HANDSCOMB of Australia bats during the second match in the Test series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia.
PETER HANDSCOMB of Australia bats during the second match in the Test series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Tired of talking about his batting technique, Victorian cricket captain Peter Handscomb just wants to make runs.

Handscomb has been out of the Test side since January and must start the Sheffield Shield season with a flourish if he is to force his way back in this summer.

Victoria will open their Shield title defence from this Thursday against South Australia at Junction Oval.

"I'm just going to back in whatever I want to do and go from there when it comes to my technique," the No.4 said, without revealing what - if any - changes he'd made to his batting.

"There's been enough said about it, so I'm just going to commit and do it."

Handscomb's unorthodox footwork at the crease has attracted plenty of scrutiny and he struggled last summer against the Indian Test attack.

He will lead a strong side this week, with Aaron Finch fresh from his career-best 188no in the one-day win over Queensland on October 1.

Nic Maddinson also continues to impress in his second season for Victoria.

"He's been doing well for us, he's batted in four or five games (last season) and made three hundreds," Handscomb said.

"He's had a great start with us, we're loving what he's doing around the group. He's been amazing.

"Hopefully he just does what he does and he's pretty bloody good."

Once again Victoria will boast a powerful attack, spearheaded this week by James Pattinson, Chris Tremain and Scott Boland.

"It's a great luxury, we have Patto and Sids (Peter Siddle) who are obviously fresh off the Ashes and then Tremain and Boland, who have taken 40-50 plus wickets for the last three or four years and really been the backbone of our bowling unit," Handscomb said.

"Then you throw in Jon Holland on top of that, who ties down an end and takes bulk wickets as well. We're a strong bowling unit."

But Handscomb is unsure for now what the Junction Oval will offer when it comes to Thursday's toss.

"It's related a lot to the weather, so we'll just wait and see what happens Thursday," he said.

"Obviously being under covers probably suggests something, but we can't say until we get there.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au