HANDING IT TO PETER
All-rounder dumped as Aussies look to strengthen batting line-up
CRICKET: Australian skipper Tim Paine concedes Peter Handscomb surged into Australia’s first Test line-up as Mitch Marsh’s numbers didn’t stack up.
Coach Justin Langer had confirmed that Marcus Harris would open with Aaron Finch but the axing of all-rounder Marsh was a statement about Australia’s weak spot entering the series opener against India in Adelaide.
Marsh has made just one score over 20 in his past 11 innings at the elite level which he acknowledged put “question marks” on his spot.
The all-rounder’s 320 Ashes runs at 106 are a distant memory after averaging 7.5 and 22 in series against Pakistan and South Africa and attracted searing criticism from greats including Geoff Lawson.
“Mitch Marsh probably hasn’t been as consistent as he would like and we would like,” Paine said.
“We know the talent Mitch Marsh has and most likely this series we will need him. We are taking the opportunity to send him back to play a Shield game and get some cricket under his belt knowing that at some stage we will need him.”
The selection of Handscomb would indicate Australian concern over their batting line-up by sacrificing the insurance it prefers for Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
However, Paine said Nathan Lyon’s durability and matchwinning record at Adelaide, combined with a fresh pace attack on a pitch with juice made Handscomb’s inclusion a calculated gamble.
Australia will front in their first Test on home soil since the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal in March with Paine hoping to regain the faith of the public and success after series defeats to South Africa and Pakistan.
Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough hopes spin and seam will play a key role with high temperatures expected.
All five Tests played at the ground since it was redeveloped and drop-ins were installed in 2013 – including two pink-ball Tests – have yielded a result.
Hough is hopeful a generous grass covering will aid the seamers, while it’s also possible it will provide something for the spinners later in the game.
“It’s hard to tell with the heat, whether that’ll have a positive or negative effect,” Hough said.
“Time will tell but we’re comfortable where it is right now.”