Australian batsman Peter Handscomb says Ashes hopefuls need to accumulate runs over a period of time

NATIONAL cricket selectors shouldn’t be blinded by one-match wonders as they look to pick the Test team for Australia’s opening Ashes clash at the Gabba, says Peter Handscomb.

Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb celebrates bringing up 50 against South Australia this week.

A BANK of runs and not just performances in one match should be the true basis for Ashes selection according to Australian Test No.5 Peter Handscomb.

The fervour continues to grow around the two open spots in the Australian XI for the first Test at the Gabba — No.6 batsman and the wicketkeeper’s position — ahead of next week’s third round of the Sheffield Shield.

The squad for the first and second Tests will be named next Friday and continued strong showings from the likes of Victorian Glenn Maxwell, the incumbent No.6, and South Australian bolter Jake Lehmann, son of national coach Darren, could help shape selectors’ thoughts.

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Handscomb was elevated to the Test team last summer on the back of a double-hundred for Victoria, as well 1431 Sheffield Shield runs, with six centuries, in the two previous seasons.

While the Victorian captain conceded runs right now, with the pressure on, could not be ignored he said runs scored consistently through previous summers should count for something.

“Jake is obviously a very good player and in the critical games that they are asking people to stand up, a little bit of extra pressure, he went out there and basically made two hundreds (103 and 93 against Victoria last week). That’s a positive sign,” Handscomb said.

Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb celebrates bringing up 50 against South Australia this week.

“But there are guys who have been scoring for three or four years and ultimately you want a guy that is going consistently and if they are only going to be judged on these three games as opposed to what they have done throughout their career then that can be a bit tough.”

Handscomb said he felt his form was in a good spot through four innings, despite just the lone half-century for a top score of 58, but he was very keen for more time in the middle next week.

“I want a big score every time I go out to bat. But, yeah, it would definitely be good to get that little bit more time out in the middle, get used to scoring big runs again,” he said.

“Time out in the middle is so much better than having a hit in the nets for bowlers and for batters. But everything is feeling right, balance feels good and my feet are moving which is the main thing.”

The Victorian captain said teammate Maxwell, with twin half-centuries against South Australia in the last match, had done “everything right” to retain his place in the national team.

South Australian batsman Jake Lehmann is making a strong impression.

“And that’s what they (selectors) are asking, for people to make runs. If he comes out and makes runs in this coming game against Tassie as well then he has done everything right,” he said.

“He’s working really hard, he has said that, that he wants to be a consistent performer like we know he can be, and hopefully he scores more runs for us.”

Victoria will take on a Tasmanian side captained by ex-Bushrangers skipper, and incumbent Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade who is facing his own battle to retain his spot in the national side.

Wade has just 33 runs in his four Shield innings so far this summer and Handscomb said national selectors faced a “tough call” when it came to the ‘keeper’s position.

“I know how well he can bat and he is under the microscope which means everything he does gets intensified a bit, which is a bit of a shame because he does do so much right as well,” he said. .

“I’ve been able to see all the things he has been doing right and hopefully for his sake he can concentrate on that and try to get away from the negatives.”