Handscomb makes the right noises ahead of busy summer

Australia A may have let slip a golden opportunity on day two of the four-day match against India A but rising batsman Peter Handscomb ensured he grasped his timely opportunity.

The 25-year-old lit up the Allan Border Field on Friday (September 9) with a rapid 93-ball 87 to be a shining light in Australia A's disappointing first innings of 228. Handscomb dominated a third-wicket partnership with Joe Burns worth 118 runs as the hosts appeared set for a healthy first innings lead before succumbing to a late collapse.

Burns, Australia's dumped Test opener, had the unusual role of playing anchor in a determined bid to occupy the crease but he was able to graft away knowing that Handscomb was dominating at the other end. Australia A's captain scored runs all around the wicket and his cavalier batting was every bit as entertaining as Manish Pandey's heroics on the opening day.

Australia A's captain has been widely tipped for higher honours after scoring six centuries over the last two Australian summers. Handscomb had already made a decisive mark during the winter campaign, scoring 137 against South Africa A in Townsville last month.

One of Handscomb's strengths is his versatility, as he can bat throughout the top order and is proficient as a wicketkeeper, although he generally only takes the gloves in the shorter formats. With Australia's batting tangled in Sri Lanka, question marks have been raised about the team's batting line-up.

Burns and Usman Khawaja were dropped for the series finale, while Adam Voges's advancing age and Shaun Marsh's career littered with inconsistency have also raised eyebrows. With starring performances ahead of the Australian season, Handscomb has ensured his name is dangling enticingly in front of the selectors.

Speaking to the media after day two, Handscomb said he was enjoying his batting. "(I am) feeling really good, it was a good wicket and I don't mind playing against the new ball," he said. "I feel quite confident about my performances."

In a welcome sign for Australian selectors searching for batsmen proficient against the turning ball, Handscomb handled India A's spin duo of Shahbaz Nadeem and Yadav with aplomb although the pitch didn't offer much turn.

Handscomb said he had a solid plan to counter the spinners. "Positive footwork either forward or back is a strong part in my game in how I play the spinners," he said. "Generally when they bowl a little bit slower, I try to go quite deep and when they attack a bit more I try to drive them."

India A didn't look like getting Handscomb out and, accordingly, a brain fade cost him a likely century when he was run out in a bad mix-up with partner Beau Webster attempting a second run that never appeared feasible.

"Unfortunately, it is part of the game," Handscomb said of the run out. "Just miscommunication, human error and we are all guilty of it from time to time. If I had my time again, I would just jog to the other end."

It was a sour end to a brilliant innings that deserved a century but Handscomb said he was grateful to be spending invaluable time at the crease. "(It is) nice to play games during the winter rather than being indoors facing bowling machines," he said. "It definitely puts me in good stead for the summer ahead."