Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Peter Handscomb just needed a bit of luck.
The Victorian run-machine put his name back into Test considerations with 131 not out against Western Australia at the MCG on Wednesday.
Handscomb clearly remains in the Australian selectors’ sights – having recently toured India with Australia A – and his chanceless knock demonstrated why.
The Vics stalwart combined strongly with Ashley Chandrasinghe (53) and Blake Macdonald (74no), taking the hosts to 3-292 at stumps.
Handscomb had been short of his usual Sheffield Shield runs at this point of the season, following modest returns on that Indian tour.
But the right-hander felt a shift back to trusted basics could spark a turn in luck.
“It’s been weird, I’ve felt good and it’s such a shame when you feel good and don’t make runs because you’re just kicking yourself the whole time,” he said.
“You’re trying to figure out what’s wrong and why isn’t it working? Sometimes you’re just out of luck, you’re not out of form.
“It was nice, I went back to a couple of basics from last game to this game and doubled down on how I wanted to bat. It made my headspace a little clearer.”
Handscomb still has a burning appetite to play Test cricket for Australia and would see consistent Shield form as the backbone of his case.
The message Nic Maddinson’s shock recall sent to aspiring Test batters was not one Handscomb agreed with but he refused to dwell on it.
“I spoke to (selector Tony Dodemaide) after (India), no different to what was said in the media about (Maddinson),” he said.
“They had their reasons and that’s perfectly fine.
“When you look at what (selectors) have been doing over the course of a long time now and how well Australia have been playing, they’re obviously doing some pretty good stuff.
“I can disagree with it but you’ve sort of got to commit and move on, then just try and make some runs.”
Handscomb, a member of the Australian 2018 squad in Cape Town, could not be drawn into fuelling the raging sandpaper fire.
“Look I appreciate you have to ask these questions, I had a nice day today and it’s not really something I want to comment on right now,” Handscomb said.
“I’ll sort of just let the powers of be do their thing.”
Elsewhere, Sam Konstas played a needlessly aggressive stroke against South Australia.
Konstas (24 from 19 balls) and fellow opener Ollie Davies (70 from 73) hurried the Blues to 0-81 in the 10th over.
But Konstas, who made two centuries in a week against Western Australia last month, was undone advancing and spooning Jordan Buckingham (5-53) to cover.
Maddinson played a cameo of 47 but the Blues went from that positive position to all out for 204.
In reply, Jake Weatherald bounced back from his Test axing with an unbeaten century for South Australia.
Nathan McSweeney wasn’t as convincing, edging a ball outside off for 16. South Australia reached 5-162 at stumps.
Marnus Labuschagne’s quest for runs continued.
Labuschagne, unshackled by Australia removing him from summer selection discussions, was dismissed cheaply playing Sheffield Shield for Queensland.
The Bulls captain was dismissed for 12, slashing at a wide ball outside off shortly after lunch against Tasmania at the Gabba.
The faint edge off Riley Meredith sailed through to Tassie wicketkeeper Jake Doran, marking the end of a 36-ball stay at the crease.
Labuschagne shadow batted a more technically sound cover drive after he was dismissed but it was more realistically a ball he could have left alone entirely.
The runs kept coming for Jack Clayton, who posted another Shield half-century (52), but the left-hander failed to cash in on a golden opportunity.
