Peter Handscomb is effectively and actually again within the choice combine regardless of lacking out on a recall for the third Test towards South Africa on the SCG, Australia coach Andrew McDonald says.
The middle-order batter-cum-wicketkeeper performed the newest of his 16 Tests nearly 4 years in the past to the day.
He has starred as Victoria’s Sheffield Shield captain, although, and this summer season boasts probably the most Shield runs with 571 at a mean of 81.57.
He set a first-class private greatest with an unbeaten 281 towards Western Australia in October.
A month later, Handscomb hit two half-centuries within the Prime Minister’s XI match towards West Indies and got here up two runs wanting one other when a Cricket Australia XI took on South Africa in a tour warm-up match.
Injuries to Mitch Starc and Cameron Green opened up two spots within the squad for the SCG Test however Handscomb misplaced out to spinner Ashton Agar and versatile batter Matt Renshaw.
Left-hander Renshaw was most frequently chosen to open the batting in his 11 earlier Test matches however can even play decrease down the order, which seems to have given him the sting.
“We feel with Matt in particular that he’s got the flexibility to bat anywhere in the order from the top through the middle as well,” McDonald mentioned.
“Pete Handscomb no doubt would probably consider himself unlucky not to be in that conversation for Sydney. But there’s another one that is coming back into the Test fold.”
Handscomb stays in touch with selectors and is thought for his potential to play spin. He will likely be eyeing a recall for the tour of India.
McDonald stays assured within the depth of his batting shares; Renshaw, Handscomb and opening batter Marcus Harris have all performed at the very least 10 Tests and are set to jostle for choice within the tour that begins in February.
“Whether (Handscomb) is on that Indian trip or not is yet to be determined,” McDonald mentioned.
“There’s a lot of great stories of people having a taste of Test cricket going out and coming back in and being really successful.”
