Peter Handscomb controlling the controllables to crack Australian Test code

Australia wicketkeeper-batter Peter Handscomb is eager to avoid being labelled as a subcontinent specialist and to be a constant in the team's middle order in Test matches under all circumstances. However, he is aware that he will need to be patient and keep doing well for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.

The 32-year-old will begin a new Shield campaign on Wednesday, October 4, in Perth against back-to-back champions Western Australia.  He is the most recent Victorian batter to feature in Test cricket, having played all four matches on Australia's 2023 tour of India. Despite performing admirably in India, he was omitted from the Ashes squad, with selectors still regarding him as a subcontinent specialist.  

He stated that he would like to play Test matches for Australia at home. He also said that he has good numbers for Victoria but is conscious that getting into the national team is a challenge.

"I'd like to play some home Tests. I spend half the year playing cricket here, batting at No. 3 and 4 for Victoria. I've done quite well over the last couple of years as well. The numbers are good. I've got to just try and keep backing that up and then see if you can get a crack but there's got to be spots available as well. The Test side is extremely powerful at the moment, especially in Australia. So it's hard to crack into that squad," Handscomb was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

Handscomb's approach has always been an area of interest in Australia. The 32-year-old further reckoned that his mental game has improved more than his physical game.

"The technique is always one that's spoken about and I've always tinkered with stuff and worked on a few things. I changed another thing when I went to England this year, and I've come back to Australia changed again and it's sort of trying to adapt to conditions. But mentally it's just controlling the controllables, doing all that, and staying present out there. A lot of work with sports psychs and clinical psychs and that's really helped me out in the middle," the wicketkeeper-batter added.