One more chance for Peter Handscomb, that’s it: Mark Waugh

After making his debut against South Africa in 2016, right-handed batsman Peter Handscomb has managed to rack up impressive numbers. The Victorian has notched 897 runs thus far in 15 matches at an average of 39 with four half-centuries and a couple tons against Pakistan in 2017. However, after his twin-centuries, he has only scored a couple of fifties and has been terribly out of form.

In fact, his last fifty in the format came more than a year ago against Bangladesh in Chittagong. The 27-year-old is currently playing the four-match series against India and hasn’t been able to make much of an impact in the middle-order. In the opening match at Adelaide Oval, Handscomb racked up scores of 34 and 14. Even in the ongoing match, he could score 20, combing two innings.

Even as Ishant Sharma accounted for his wicket in the first innings, Handscomb fell prey to the same bowler even in the second innings. In the meantime, former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh, who stepped down as the national selector in August, reckons Handscomb needs to sort his batting out.

“He averages 40 in Test match cricket and 40 in First Class cricket, but I think you need to dissect the technique with what’s going on there now. It’s so much different to a year or two ago, so I’m sure Graeme Hick and Peter Handscomb will be looking at that. At the moment, it looks like he’s really battling.” Waugh was quoted as saying in Fox Cricket’s Cricket 360.

But that’s it, one more

In the second innings, Handscomb hit three boundaries to score 13, but Ishant trapped him plumb in front. Throwing light on the dismissal, Waugh said Indian batsman Virat Kohli would’ve clipped that delivery away comfortably. Moreover, Waugh mentioned that he would give Handscomb one more chance at Melbourne Cricket Ground, a venue where Peter has grown up playing all his cricket.

“Virat Kohli would’ve clipped that with his eyes closed, and most good batsman would’ve. But he was back and it actually looked as if the lack of pace almost did him and then he played across and his right hip comes through, he lost all his shape which is technique.

I actually think I’d give him one more go at the MCG on his home track, where it’s going to be a pretty flat batting track. But that’s it, one more,” he added.

Irfan 26 runs in an over:

Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.