Peter Handscomb looked in top form until he knocked over his own stumps with a late cut deep in the crease
Handscomb cut short with rare dismissal
Peter Handscomb has become just the 21st Australian to be dismissed hit wicket in Test cricket after the Victorian fell in bizarre fashion on day two of the third Test against Pakistan.
Batting deep in his crease to express paceman Wahab Riaz, Handscomb’s late cut clipped the top of leg stump before making contact with the ball.
Confusion reigned as to how the bail had become dislodged as the batsmen took a single, but replays showed the Victorian had brushed leg stump to end his innings on 110.
It was the first time an Australian had been dismissed in this manner in Test cricket since Shane Warne stood on his stumps in the epic 2005 Ashes Test at Birmingham. Warne had made 42 as Australia hunted down England's target until he stepped so far back and across to a ball from Andrew Flintoff that he stepped on his wicket.
Handscomb is just the third Australian to be dismissed hit wicket having made a century, joining Bill Ponsford (twice) and Sir Donald Bradman.
The 25-year-old departed to a standing ovation after making his second Test match century on day two in Sydney, registering the 60 runs he needed overnight to achieve the milestone.
After he passed 50 in the morning session, Handsomb equalled the record held by Herbie Collins of the only Australian to post a half-century in each of his first four Tests.
Handscomb's SCG century knock consisted of nine boundaries off 205 balls. He has now amassed more than 250 runs in five innings after making his debut in November, and has yet to be dismissed for less than 54.
Former captain Michael Clarke liked the Victorian's ability to play off the back foot, as well as his footwork since his insertion into the national team earlier in the summer.
"He's been phenomenal this series, that's for sure. To be able to play the pace bowlers like he does holds him in good stead for going to somewhere like India," Clarke said during commentary for the Nine Network.
Handscomb's bright start
v South Africa in Adelaide - 54, 1*
v Pakistan in Brisbane - 105, 35*
v Pakistan in Melbourne - 54
v Pakistan in Sydney - 110