Handscomb to dig deep when under attack

PETER Handscomb has declared Jimmy Anderson won’t pin him to the wall this Ashes series and says he isn’t worried about any footsteps coming from behind either.

The Australian No. 5 averages an outstanding 50 from his first 11 Test matches, but commentators have predicted he is in for his toughest challenge to date this summer.

England believe “70 per cent” of their plans to Australian batsmen came off at the Gabba, and perhaps the best executed of all was Anderson’s blueprint to have Handscomb trapped lbw.

Handscomb’s unique style has him preferring to play his shots deep in the crease, which just so happens to be exactly where Anderson likes his batsmen.

A record of two centuries and four 50s against some of the world’s best exponents of seam and swing has Handscomb confident he can fire at the ground where he burst onto the scene 12 months ago in Adelaide.

“I have batted deep in my crease for three years, I’m not really that concerned,” said Handscomb.

“I batted deep last year and managed to hit balls on the stumps and made lots of runs.

“Kyle Abbott was pretty good, (Kagiso Rabada), they’re good players. I’m not that concerned.

“I know I get out lbw and bowled, that’s why I have tried to change a few things with my technique.”

Handscomb, averaging 50, should not be in any real danger to lose his place this summer, however there is an ominous cloud hanging over the Australian order regardless of how they play.

Australian selectors have virtually conceded they will not be able to take an unchanged line-up through this Ashes series, and at some point relief will have to be provided for the fast bowling attack.

Darren Lehmann has already made it clear an allrounder may become a serious consideration for Australia for the third Test and beyond, with Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis the candidates.

Handscomb says Australia can survive without an allrounder. “We’ll see. It’s the selectors’ decision. Last summer we played six Tests and we basically had three quicks and a spinner for those ones as well and the boys did an amazing job,” he said.