Peter Handscomb has World Cup, Ashes in sights after strong ODI form for Australia against India

Any runs are good runs for Peter Handscomb after a strong series against India and the Victoria captain could find his way back to the Test team thanks to Australia’s new one-day direction.

Peter Handscomb in action for Australia.

Any runs are good runs for Peter Handscomb who could find his way back to the Test team thanks to Australia’s new one-day direction.

The Victoria skipper, dropped from the Test side after the series loss to India, was the beneficiary of a move away from a batting order full of big hitters as Australia’s brains trust planned the World Cup defence.

Handscomb showed his capacity for control against the white-ball as he steered his team to the domestic one-day title last October, averaging 50 for the competition.

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And in three games against India he scored another two 50s, top-scoring for Australia twice playing the role of his team’s “controller”, but still batting at a strike-rate over 100.

“I’m looking to go a run a ball and play the spin really well and take it deep, because the power we have in the team is amazing, as long as we can get them to the last 10 overs,” Handscomb said after making a team-high 58 in the series finale.

“If you change your game plan it’s not going to work straight away. For us it’s worked pretty well, pretty quickly, but we have some things to learn.”

Peter Handscomb in action against India.

Handscomb earned praise from coach Justin Langer, along with Shaun Marsh, Australia’s two-leading run scorers in the ODI series after being dropped from the Test team.

“A lot of guys walk away with their tails between their legs, but both guys have stood up,” Langer said.

“I admire and respect what they have done, and they will be better for it in the future.”

Handscomb’s immediate future looks full of white-ball cricket with the Big Bash and then twin one-day series against India and Pakistan as the lead in to the World Cup.

With Steve Smith and David Warner set to return then, there’s not a lot of batting spots open in the squad.

Peter Handscomb walks off after being bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.

But with more of the same against India and Pakistan, Handscomb looks like someone Langer could rely on when the tournament starts in June, and it could translate in to Test recognition.

“I’ve felt good all summer, I’ve been saying that, I knew there were runs around the corner,” Handscomb said.

“I was always putting my hand up (to play one-day cricket), and it helped having a good one-day tournament with Victoria as well. It was nice to get the chance, and hopefully keep taking it.

“Any runs are good runs. I’m just trying to play for Australia in any format. If I am doing well in the one-dayers, then happy days, and I can push my case for red ball again.”

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