Scoring like Bradman but Handscomb is ready to learn
PETER HANDSCOMB, one of the rising stars of Australian cricket, insists that he is not coming to Yorkshire for Ashes batting practice.
Handscomb, whose embryonic Test average of 99 equals that of the legendary Don Bradman, says he does not have one eye on the 2019 series in England, but is focused on helping Yorkshire perform.
Handscomb insists that he cannot afford to look too far ahead after breaking into the Test team in November, since when he has scored two hundreds and two 50s in four games.
However, he admits that the move will be “a great opportunity” to further his knowledge of English conditions after a spell with Gloucestershire in 2015, and also to learn from the Yorkshire staff.
In his first interview since becoming Yorkshire’s overseas player for next season, Handscomb said the 2019 series was not a factor in his decision to sign.
“I’m not really looking that far into the future, to be honest,” he said.
“It’s just great that I’m lucky enough to be in the Australian side now, and obviously I’ll be trying to hold that spot for as long as I can.
“But it’s a great opportunity to go and learn how to play in English conditions, and to talk to some quality English players in the Yorkshire side and try and find out how they go about it in their conditions and emulate that.”
Handscomb, 25, has experienced a meteoric rise in the last two months.
He hit 54 and one not out on Test debut against South Africa in Adelaide, smashed 105 and 35 not out against Pakistan in Brisbane, struck 54 against Pakistan in Melbourne and then plundered 110 and 40 not out against them in Sydney.
It left him with a Test average of 99.75 – up there with Bradman’s famous figure of 99.94.
Serious comparisons with Bradman, of course, are clearly absurd; no batsman in history has come close to a man who averaged 99 over 52 Tests, yet it reflects the strides that Handscomb has taken.
His level-headedness can be gleaned not only from his refusal to take his Test place for granted, but also from the acknowledgement that he is about to take a step up with Yorkshire in Division One of the County Championship after playing with Gloucestershire in Division Two.
“Getting over to Gloucester was awesome, good to get in English conditions and try to get an understanding of how my game works over there,” he said.
“But, obviously, now it’s a step up to a stronger competition (Division One), and I’ll have to step up my own game and my own training to make sure that I’m ready to go.
“Yorkshire is an unbelievably strong side, and to get over there and play as high a standard of cricket as I can in our off-season is great preparation for our coming season, and potentially learning to play in English conditions.
“It’s great that we get to travel the world as cricketers, but we need to learn how to play in all these different conditions, and it’s a great opportunity for me.”
Handscomb admits that it took him some time to get used to the English game first time round.
He scored 401 runs in six Championship matches for Gloucestershire at an average of 44.55, with a highest score of 76 – figures that only hinted at the talent that has subsequently blossomed.
“It took a little bit of adjusting when I was over there playing for Gloucester,” he said.
“I had to set up in a slightly different way, get used to playing a swinging and seaming ball, as it swings and seams quite considerably more than it does in Australia.
“I found I had to move around the crease a little bit more and change my game plan a bit.
“I’ll be going in with an open mind when I go up to Yorkshire and will try and assess conditions as quickly as possible.”
Handscomb said his move to Headingley was part-facilitated by Chris Rogers, the former Australia Test opener and a close friend.
He explained: “The agreement came about through Bucky Rogers, actually. Chris sent me a message saying that his manager in England was keen, or had a deal at Yorkshire, and that Yorkshire were keen to get in touch with me.
“Being close friends with Bucky, he passed on that message, and I basically just started talking to his manager over there, went back and forth, and that’s how it sort of eventuated.”
Handscomb has previously visited Yorkshire and is looking forward to helping the club in their quest for honours.
He should be available for all or most of the season, with Australia having only a possible two-Test series in Bangladesh during the English summer – subject to security factors being satisfied.
“I’ve been there (to Yorkshire) a couple of times,” said Handscomb.
“The club itself I’m not too familiar with, but I know they’ve won the Championship plenty of times.
“Also, Headingley itself is an amazing place and a great ground and one that I’m looking forward to batting on.
“Leeds is a great place as well; there’s some nice bars and restaurants, which I look forward to sampling.”
Handscomb accepts there will be pressure on his shoulders.
He is available for all competitions, and although he believes that his game is more suited to the longer formats, he could also be a key player in 50-over and T20 cricket.
“Whenever you’re the overseas for any side, whether it’s a local club side or a county side, there’s always pressure on you to score runs,” he added.
It’s just great that I’m lucky enough to be in the Australian side. Yorkshire CCC overseas signing Peter Handscomb.