Peter Handscomb and Marcus Harris’ Test hopes could hinge on the Hobart Sheffield Shield pitch

THE curator at Blundstone Arena could play the biggest part in Victoria captain Peter Handscomb and opener Marcus Harris’ Test hopes in the final round of Sheffield Shield before the first Test against India.

Peter Handscomb celebrates a century in the Sheffield Shield.

THE curator at Blundstone Arena could play the biggest part in Victoria captain Peter Handscomb’s push for a Test return.

Noise continues to grow around Handscomb who, according to teammate and fellow baggy-green aspirant Marcus Harris, is batting as well as he ever has.

A century against South Australia in the last round of the Sheffield Shield capped a terrifically consistent domestic one-day series from Handscomb who plenty believe will play in the opening Test against India next month.

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Handscomb, who has a Test average of 43, said he hoped this round of Shield matches wasn’t a shootout for a spot in the Aussie middle-order, and that previous performances counted just as much.

That could be because he and Harris expect the Blundstone Arena wicket for this weekend’s clash with Tasmania to be “green as grass”, and not in the batsmen’s favour.

But opening batsman Harris, the second leading run-scorer this Shield season with 348 runs, including an unbeaten 250 against NSW, said the noise around the rush for Test spots wasn’t clouding his own mind.

Peter Handscomb celebrates a Sheffield Shield century.

Marcus Harris in action for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.

“It’s been a bit of a funny time,” he said.

“I think if anyone gets runs at the moment, their name is thrown up there straight away. I suppose if you put runs on the board, that’s going to happen.

“It’s hard to not see it. I don’t read it all, you see bits and pieces on social media. Everyone’s name is being thrown up there, so I try not to read into too much.

“It’s a bit hard to avoid, but you just take it as it is.”

Despite his output, Harris is behind Queenslanders Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns in the race to open for Australia, but could elevate himself with a big outing against Tasmania.

Harris was more bullish about his captain Handscomb, who is batting with confidence and positivity and looks ready to add to his 13 Tests.

“He’s been a bit more relaxed, and I’m not sure Pete would have realised that,” Harris said.

“In the two years I have been here, it’s the best I have seen him bat … he has been brilliant.

“Making runs calms you down a bit. And It’s a different spotlight he’s under. Being in and out of the Test side is a different kettle of fish.

“I reckon he has played really well in the last month. He’s doing everything right to put his name up there.”