Peter Handscomb To Be Backup Wicketkeeper For India Tour
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:25 PM
The upcoming few weeks are bound to pose a serious challenge for Australia, as the Kangaroos embark on what seems to be a derelict tour of India. Both teams at present, seem poles apart – with India under the leadership of Virat Kohli finding the right balance and team combination. Their recent Test series against England was an indication as they massacred the visitors 4-0 with utter disdain.
Australia, on the other hand, aren’t sure of what their best team is. After losing the first two games and the series to South Africa, the Steven Smith-led outfit has opted for youth and till now that has reaped them dividends. However, things are bound to change in no time once they land in India.
For the Test series against India, Matthew Wade was named as the only wicketkeeper. However, selector Trevor Hohns admitted that batsman Peter Handscomb could double up as the keeper if needed.
“I’m not sure a second specialist keeper will be added,” Hohns was quoted saying, while naming Australia’s squad for the three match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home.
“Obviously we have Peter Handscomb there who is filling in at the moment, and he’s more than a handy second wicketkeeper in our view.”So we have somebody there on the morning of a match should something like Wade’s injury occur again. “And if it did occur, we would obviously have to think about sending a replacement at that stage,” Hohns added.
Australia will commence their four-match Test series in India on February 23 at Pune.