Handscomb facing axe for all-rounder
PETER Handscomb is in the firing line to lose his place in Perth after Australia recalled all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the third Ashes Test.
Marsh has had just oneand-a-half games back bowling following major shoulder surgery, but his batting has gone to a higher level this season than his modest Test average would indicate.
Only months after it was feared neither might play another Test match, there’s every chance Mitchell and Shaun might join forces in the Australian middle-order in their home town of Perth.
Not having an all-rounder in the top six has never sat comfortably with selectors, but there was no standout candidate available when they picked their squad for the opening two Tests.
Since then Mitchell Marsh has nailed a big first class hundred for Western Australia and has bowled 22 overs of his fast seamers, which could be handy on the WACA deck.
The major factor that has Marsh in reach of a stunning comeback to partner his brother – Adelaide man-ofthe-match Shaun – at No.5 and 6 is Handscomb’s alarming form slump. Handscomb’s technique has looked all at sea in the first two Test matches and although Australia will be hesitant to change a winning XI halfway through an Ashes series – selectors will be agonising over whether the Victorian can rediscover his form and confidence.
Handscomb has looked no match for the likes of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad as he scrambled helplessly on the back foot. Mike Hussey said Handscomb deserved to be shown the same faith George Bailey was in the 2013-14 Ashes – which Australia won in a whitewash.
Glenn Maxwell can consider himself unlucky to miss the cut given he is fresh from a double century and a 96 for Victoria and was the standby batsman for the first Test.
Selector Mark Waugh has made no secret of the fact that Marsh’s bowling skills combined with his powerful form with the bat makes him the complete “package”.
The major worry for Australia will be if two matches of bowling is enough time for Marsh’s shoulder to have geared up for Test match bowling. Former international Simon Katich said he sympathised with Handscomb.
“It’s never easy when you come into an Ashes series with not many runs in the shield. That’s what’s happened to Peter Handscomb,” Katich said on Fox.
“Unfortunately in the Ashes there’s so much scrutiny it snowballs on you. I’ve been there done that.
“It can drive you insane. “What’s hurting Pete is he’s down on confidence with his runs but he’s also not quite balanced when he’s driving on the front foot.”
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird