Peter Handscomb loses 4.5 kg while battling killer heat in Chittagong
Battling his way through an extremely crucial passage of play, Australia cricket team batsman Peter Handscomb lost 4.5 kilograms during the second day’s play in the ongoing Test against Bangladesh cricket team in Chittagong.
The right-handed batsman, who finished the day unbeaten on 69 off 113 balls in Australia’s first innings on Tuesday, took several breaks as he struggled in the extreme hot and sultry conditions. Australia need to win the second Test to level the twomatch series.
Australia lost the first Test by just 20 runs in a thrilling finish , and in order to not suffer a massive slide in the ICC Test rankings, the Steve Smith-led team must win the Chittagong Test.
Australia needed a strong reply to Bangladesh’s first innings score of 305 and by the end of the day’s play on Tuesday, they were 225 for two. Handscomb batted for more than two hours alongside David Warner (88 not out), adding 127 runs for the third wicket and keeping his team in control.
However, there was a price to pay as Handscomb, not used to the intense heat, doubled-over and dry-heaved on the Chittagong pitch. With the temperature peaking 30 degree Celsius and humidity levels reaching 80 per cent, Handscomb took several breaks in between but did not walk off the field in a performance described as ‘gutsy’ by Australia coach Darren Lehmann.
During the innings, he fell on his knees, nearly throwing up. But, according to the Daily Mail, lack of fluids in his system stopped him from vomiting.
The on-field umpires, Warner and even a few Bangladeshi players kept running to him to check about his status.
HANDSCOMB TOOK BREAKS BUT DID NOT WALK OFF THE FIELD IN A PERFORMANCE DESCRIBED AS ‘GUTSY’ BY AUSTRALIA COACH DARREN LEHMANN.