Peter Handscomb’s unique back-foot technique reaps dividends as he scores century at Gabba

PETER Handscomb may not possess the dazzle or bling factor of his most high-profile mentor, but Australia’s back foot bandit has delivered the old fashioned grunt this middle-order was craving.

Australian batsman Peter Handscomb celebrates bringing up his century at the Gabba on Friday.

PETER Handscomb may not possess the dazzle or bling factor of his most high-profile mentor, but Australia’s back foot bandit has delivered the old fashioned grunt this middle-order was craving.

Spurred on by the confidence garnered by his close relationship with Kevin Pietersen, Handscomb made a name for himself in Test cricket on Friday by batting nothing like the former England superstar.

In a world full of front foot bullies, Handscomb has bucked the trend and rescued Australia from their batting crisis with an iron-willed mentality and no-frills approach that was long overdue.

With his mother Patricia and partner Sarah watching on, Handscomb carved out a memorable maiden Test hundred in just his second match, wading his way patiently through 240 balls at the crease to anchor Australia’s dominant push to an imposing total of 429 at the Gabba.

At the dinner break, Pakistan was precariously placed in reply at 1-20 after Mitchell Starc had roared out of the blocks with an early thunderbolt.

Australia's Peter Handscomb celebrates bringing up his century at the Gabba on Friday.

In what was a turbulent time for Australia, Handscomb has taken to Test cricket like he’s always belonged, and perhaps this is the attribute he has gleaned from his time spent with Pietersen at the Melbourne Stars.

Despite the apparent gulf in personalities, age and style, Handscomb has gravitated to Pietersen and appreciated the brash Englishman’s ability to impart knowledge and advice.

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In turn, Pietersen has seen past the occasionally cringe worthy aspects of his 25-year-old protégé’s technique to pick Handscomb out as a young star who simply knows his game.

Handscomb can get so far back in his crease he almost played onto his stumps off a forward defensive shot early in his knock.

He’s only been out twice in Test cricket, and both times bowled.

But scores of 54, 1 not out and 105 suggest that any foibles Handscomb might have, he knows how to combat them.

During an arduous night session on day one, Handscomb dug in and refused to yield.

Then on Friday he got his reward – charging through the nervous 90s with a six and a four to reach triple figures.

Peter Handscomb playing at shot off the back foot at the Gabba on Friday.

One of Australia’s greatest middle-order exponents Mike Hussey isn’t losing any sleep over Handscomb’s technique.

“I think everyone has deficiencies in their technique no matter who the player is around the world,” Hussey told Fox Sports.

“There are a lot of studies done on all the players around the world. But what I like about Pete Handscomb is he has a presence about him and you just get the feeling he belongs out there as well.

“He’s worked on his technique, it’s unique and it’s different but it works for him and that’s part of the battle of playing international cricket is figuring out how you play best and how to score runs and believing in that through thick and thin.

“He seems to have figured that out and I’m sure he will stick to it and he’ll have a lot of success.”

Australian captain Steve Smith’s epic knock came to an end on 130, but not before he was given a third unlikely life for the innings when he was dropped in the deep by Mohammad Amir off the bowling of leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Amir (4-97) and Wahab (4-89) then carved through the Aussie lower order on what was overall a tidy recovery from Pakistan on day two, before Australia’s 10th wicket partnership Nathan Lyon (29) and Jackson Bird (19 not out) swung for the fences in an entertaining and valuable stand of 49.

Nic Maddinson also gave a dropped chance, but the under-siege No.6 was soon out anyway for 1 and Matt Wade (7) also departed meekly.

Starc then fired in the early overs to nick off Pakistan opener Azhar Ali and get Australia off to a flyer ahead of the night time session.