The Victorian hopes his good record against the pink pill will hold him good stead for his Test debut under lights
Handscomb tickled pink for Adelaide Test
Test call-up Peter Handscomb effectively sealed his a berth in Australia’s middle-order with a stellar Sheffield Shield double-century this week, but it’s his record against the pink ball rather the red that could prove decisive when he takes on South Africa under lights on Thursday.
Handscomb was one of six inclusions for the third Test Commonwealth Bank Test at the Adelaide Oval against the Proteas, as the national selectors swung the axe in the wake of their fifth consecutive Test defeat.
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The right-hander holds an enviable record in pink-ball Shield matches, having hit 480 runs at 60 including two centuries in five matches for Victoria under lights, while he also struck 87 for Australia A in September against India in a pink-ball four-day game.
He struck tons in both of the Bushrangers’ day-night fixtures last summer, with the second of those - a fluent second-innings 102 to set up a win over the Redbacks - coming at the Adelaide venue where Handscomb will become Australia’s 447th Test player this week.
“I think (the pink ball) definitely adds something extra,” he said on Sunday.
“I don’t mind batting against the pink ball. (I) played there last year, at Adelaide, with the pink ball.
“I’m feeling relatively confident going into this game so hopefully it all goes well.”
And the 25-year-old expects a friendlier reception from a parochial South Australian crowd while donning the Baggy Green instead of Victoria’s navy equivalent.
“There’ll be a bit more atmosphere at the game,” Handscomb said. “Adelaide is always a feisty crowd … (I’m) looking forward to getting out in front of them.
“It will be nice to have them on my side for a change.”
The Victorian will slot in to a new look Australia middle-order alongside NSW left-hander Nic Maddinson, the pair included at the expense of Adam Voges and Callum Ferguson, who batted at No.5 and 6 respectively in the Hobart Test.
Maddinson hasn’t had as much as much success in day-night Shield games – he’s managed just 65 runs from his four hits – though he did manage an entertaining 81 against India A in September against the pink ball, though the Allan Border Field fixture wasn’t played under lights.
The 24-year-old admitted the change from red to pink has played on his mind at times.
"You've just got to put it out of your head, that it might behave a bit differently and just watch the ball and play it as you see it,” he said.
“I've been guilty in the past of thinking a little bit too much out of the box and not trusting my game plan and my strengths, so I guess that's probably a focus for me this week."
Maddinson nonetheless showed his class in the Blues’ match against Western Australia earlier this month, striking a composed 116 on a turning SCG wicket that saw 28 of 37 wickets fall to spin across the four innings.
The 24-year-old’s knock was the only ton of the match and after he’d missed NSW’s Shield-opener with a delayed concussion suffered in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup elimination final, he conceded the knock was a timely confidence-boost.
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“Especially missing that first Shield game in Brisbane with a concussion, I was a little bit down,” Maddinson said.
“It was great to start off the year with a hundred although I've missed out in a couple of innings since.
“I thought I finished the Matador (Cup) well and I'm moving in the right direction."
MEET AUSTRALIA'S FOUR NEW FACES
- Matt Renshaw. 20. Left-hander, averages 41 from 11 first-class games with two centuries. Yorkshire-born, moved to New Zealand aged seven, then Australia age 11. Queensland's leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer last season.
- Nic Maddinson. 24. Left-hander, averages 38 from 58 first-class games for NSW. Played two Twenty20 games for Australia in 2013. Has made two tons and an 86 in domestic cricket this season.
- Peter Handscomb. 25. Right-handed Victorian averaging a tick over 40 from 61 first-class games, nine centuries. Son of British parents, holds a British passport but has been in Australia's system since under 19s.
- Chadd Sayers. 29. Medium-fast bowler in the Alderman mould. Has taken 184 wickets at 23.80 in 46 first-class matches. Renowned for making the ball swing at Adelaide Oval.