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Victoria batter Peter Handscomb has joined Australia’s squad in Sydney as a substitute fielder for the final Test against India and is a strong contender for selection on the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka. Handscomb, who does not hold a BBL contract, is available to remain with the team throughout the final match. He […]
Victoria batter Peter Handscomb has joined Australia’s squad in Sydney as a substitute fielder for the final Test against India and is a strong contender for selection on the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka.
Handscomb, who does not hold a BBL contract, is available to remain with the team throughout the final match. He will be joined at various stages by spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann, both of whom are expected to feature in the squad for the Sri Lanka series. The official squad announcement is anticipated shortly after the conclusion of the India series.
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Peter Handscomb, a subcontinent specialist renowned for his skill against spin, is being considered for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka. Handscomb last played for Australia during the 2023 tour of India, where he featured in all four matches, scoring 145 runs with a top score of 72 not out in Delhi. His performance in that series highlighted his adaptability in challenging conditions, particularly against R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Handscomb has expressed his desire to shed the label of being suited only to subcontinent conditions, emphasizing his aspiration to play Tests in Australia as well.
Despite being pigeonholed as a spin specialist, Handscomb has repeatedly stated his proficiency on home pitches. Speaking to cricket.com.au in 2022, he remarked, “If being a good player of spin] helps me get on subcontinent tours, that’s great. But I also enjoy batting in Australia, where it’s fast and bouncy, allowing me to play shots like cuts and pulls.” His versatility and consistent performances in domestic cricket make him a strong candidate for the Sri Lanka series, especially if Australia reconfigure their batting lineup.
A middle-order vacancy could arise in Sri Lanka depending on team composition, with Travis Head potentially opening and Sam Konstas’ inclusion influencing the setup. Josh Inglis, another adept player of spin, is also in contention as a specialist batter. Inglis is recovering from a calf strain but is expected to be fit for the tour. Handscomb’s selection could also be influenced by his prolific 2024 season, where he scored heavily in both the Sheffield Shield and in England, becoming the fifth-highest run-scorer worldwide.
Overall, Handscomb has played 20 Tests since his debut in 2016, averaging 37.20. Despite being overlooked for Australia A matches earlier in the season, his domestic dominance and familiarity with subcontinent conditions strengthen his case for selection. If Australia secures victory in the ongoing Sydney Test, they will confirm their place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Otherwise, a win in Galle will be essential.
Rain played spoilsport in the BBL clash between table-toppers Sydney Sixers and defending champions Brisbane Heat in Coffs Harbour, forcing an abandonment without a ball bowled. The game was officially called off just over an hour after its scheduled start, disappointing thousands of fans who had braved the weather. The no-result earned both teams a point, with Sixers extending their lead at the top to three points over Perth Scorchers, who were set to play later that day.
The Heat, who defeated the Sixers in last season’s final but lost to them in Brisbane last week, moved up to fifth on the table with the shared point. The match had been eagerly anticipated, with Michael Neser set to return from a two-month hamstring injury and wicketkeeper Tom Alsop in line for his season debut. However, persistent rain throughout the day dashed any hopes of play.
The abandonment comes at a critical time for both teams. The Heat, struggling after three consecutive losses, will look to regain momentum when they host Sydney Thunder in Brisbane on Monday. Meanwhile, the Sixers, who tasted their first defeat of the season in their last match after a four-game winning streak, will face the Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Thursday.
Despite the setback, the Sixers remain firm favorites atop the standings, while the Heat will need a strong resurgence to keep their title defense alive. Both teams will hope for better conditions as they aim to build momentum heading into the business end of the season.
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