Langer tells Handscomb to watch the ball

Australian batsman Peter Handscomb is facing the axe for the Boxing Day Test after his struggles against India in Adelaide and Perth.

cricket

Peter Handscomb's technique - and place in the Australian Test team - has come under question. (AAP)

Australia coach Justin Langer says Peter Handscomb's troubles aren't necessarily a technique issue, but rather a ball-watching matter.

Handscomb was retained in Australia's squad but is still facing the axe for the Boxing Day Test against India after a series of failures against India.

The 27-year-old scored 34 and 14 in Adelaide, before following it up with seven and 13 in Perth.

His second-innings dismissal in Perth - when he was trapped plumb lbw deep in his crease by Ishant Sharma - raised further worries about his unorthodox technique.

Test great Shane Warne labelled Handscomb a "lamb to the slaughter" after watching that dismissal.

And with Australia likely to need more bowling firepower on a notoriously flat MCG wicket, allrounder Mitch Marsh could replace Handscomb in the XI.

"The only thing I've spoke to him about so far is that I wondered if he was watching the ball," Langer told Cricket 360.

"Because there were times where he was probably playing back to balls he could've played forward to, and he was playing forward to ones he probably should've played back to.

"To me that's toughest thing about Test cricket, concentrating on the next ball.

"When there's all this noise and distractions, that's the courage and skill of Test cricket.

"For anyone to say that I think Handscomb has got to change his technique - well maybe where he can shuffle around where he stands he can change his intent.

"But that's his game. That's how he's probably going to be for the rest of his career now."

Langer is confident Aaron Finch will be passed fit to play despite the opener injuring his right index finger in Perth.

Finch was cleared of any break to his finger and was able to bat again, but he failed to take the field during India's second innings.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world