Handscomb last appeared for Australia on the 2023 tour of India, where he played all four matches and is seen as a subcontinent specialist given his prowess against spin. He made 145 runs in that series with a top score of 72 in Delhi, a Test in which Australia were well positioned to win before a second innings collapse against R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
However, he has previously spoken about not wanting to be pigeonholed as just a hitter because of certain conditions. “I would like to play some Tests at home,” he said before the start of the 2023-24 season following his experiences in India.
Previously speaking with cricket.com.au in 2022, Handscomb said: “Yes [being a good player of spin] He helps me tour the subcontinent, which he’s done before, so it’s great. But don’t forget I also like batting in Australia where it’s fast and bouncy and I can do some cuts and pulls if needed.”
Overall, Handscomb has played 20 Tests with an average of 37.20 and debuted in 2016.
Handscomb was overlooked in the four-day matches between Australia A and India A earlier this season, but all signs pointed to him being a player the selectors felt they knew enough about.
He had a prolific 2024 in first-class cricket in Australia and England, where he was the world’s fifth-highest scorer. In the first part of this Sheffield Shield season he has made 478 runs at 47.80.
If Australia wins the ongoing Sydney Test, it will secure a place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa; otherwise, they would have to win one of the Tests in Galle.
