New Hobart recruit in no rush to jump behind stumps despite Australian keeping ambitions

He’s kept for Australia in ODI and T20 cricket — and still harbours dreams to return to the international stage — but new Cane Peter Handscomb is happy to slot in behind Ben McDermott

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KEEPING for the national side in white ball cricket is still a driving force for Peter Handscomb — but he is in no rush to snatch the gloves from his new Hurricanes teammate.

One of Hobart’s prized off season signings for this year’s BBL, Handscomb joins a list which contains four other recognised gloveman in Ben McDermott, skipper Matthew Wade, Test custodian Matthew Wade and Tigers Shield keeper Jake Doran.

McDermott filled the role in last year’s Big Bash, while Handscomb has stood behind the stumps for Australia in both his international T20s and a handful of his 22 ODI appearances.

Peter Handscomb is ready to make his first appearance for the Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

However while not shying away from his ambitions to return to the international stage, Handscomb will fill whatever void is needed for the Hurricanes.

“Benny McDermott did a pretty good job with the gloves last year when ‘Wadey’ was away,” Handscomb told the Mercury.

“It is something I am always ready to do, I’ve said over the last few years I still see white ball keeping as a strong part of my game and I still want to push for higher honours as a keeper in the white ball format if those opportunities did come.

“We will talk about who is likely to take the gloves but I dare say Benny will be that guy.

“But I will be ready to go if an opportunity comes my way.”

Peter Handscomb pictured at Australian training at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA – VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam in February last year. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)

The 29-year-old Victorian was one of the biggest domestic free agents on the market coming into this summer, having spent his entire Big Bash career with the Melbourne Stars.

And while there were several franchises keen to secure his services, the appeal of a greater role in Hobart’s top four was the defining factor in leading to him moving south.

Handscomb joins a revamped top order which includes proven overseas stars Dawid Malan and Colin Ingram and rising Englishman Will Jacks, and he is bullish about the side’s hopes of breaking through for a maiden BBL title.

“It’s a strong team, I’m pretty excited to see what we can do with both bat and ball.

“I think we have some really good depth and going into this tournament if we are on and firing, I think we are going to be a tough team to beat.

“Definitely it helps knowing a few of the faces, a couple of Victorian boys as in Scotty Boland and Will Parker coming down and of course Wadey.

“It is natural to have nerves … also nerves around performing for the team.

“You go to a new team and there are certain expectations that you feel you have to meet and hopefully I can do that for the Hurricanes.”

Peter Handscomb in full flight for the Melbourne Stars last season (AAP Image/Hamish Blair)

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