Vics’ Test discard in timely ton to sink SA

AXED Test batsman Peter Handscomb has sent national selectors a timely message with his gutsy, unbeaten century putting Victoria in charge of their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

As Australian wickets tumbled in the ODI in Perth yesterday, Handscomb notched his 14th first-class century at the MCG to help the home side to 7-345 at stumps, with a 101-run firstinnings lead.

With wickets falling regularly around him in the opening two sessions, Handscomb was forced to dig in and patiently see out the storm after the Vics at one stage fell to 5-193.

On a pitch that still offered a bit for bowlers, the 27-yearold was rarely troubled, reaching 103 off 186 balls, with 11 fours, after tea then saw out a tricky period before stumps.

He will resume on 123 today with Test seamer Peter Siddle on 13.

Handscomb’s innings swung the contest well and truly back in his side’s favour after the visitors enjoyed a bright period just before lunch and throughout the middle session. The Vics resumed at 0-72 in reply to South Australia’s first-innings total of 244, with Travis Dean and Marcus Harris moving the score along to 132 in the morning session.

After his unbeaten 250 against NSW last week, Test hopeful Harris made it 315 runs without dismissal before he was caught behind off the bowling of Nick Winter for 65.

Winter also removed Dean for 75 from 133, then had Cameron White caught behind for a duck to be the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-81 off 28 overs.

On Saturday, Victorian paceman Scott Boland gave his own chances of a return to the national set-up a boost with a devastating spell.

A Tom Cooper century helped the Redbacks to 244.