Australian promising batsman Peter Handscomb has set his primary focus on the finger-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali, in a bid to set the sight on scoring big for hosts Australia during the coming campaign of Magellan Ashes 2017-18 this week.
The 26-year-old Melbourne-born batsman Handscomb, whose parents are from England revealed the pressure tactics could be used to demoralise the England fast bowlers spearheaded by experienced paceman James Anderson.
“Moeen Ali can definitely be one we can go after a little bit to put pressure on their quicks to come back early and bowl longer spells,” Handscomb was quoted as saying by Syndey Morning Herald.
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Handscomb, who played 10 Tests so far for Australia in which he averaged at 53.07 reiterated it would not be too easy for the slow bowlers – to make most out on the Australian soil.
“In Australia, it can be tough to bowl spin,” Handscomb added.
Handscomb, who has already struck two-hundred and four fifties in 19 Test innings since his Test debut in November 2016 against South Africa at his backyard, added he is in good stead to face the off-spinner at home.
“Hopefully I’m still in when he’s bowling. It will be good to face him,” Handscomb further added.
Moreover, with Handscomb already work in the gruelling net sessions has further set his sight on to play his natural game against the spinners to yield desired results.
“I will try and use my feet and do what I normally do with spin,” Handscomb asserted.
As the surface in Brisbane has proved to be a tough one for the tweakers, the 30-year-old Birmingham-born Ali has been working hard on his game to pose the challenge before hosts’ batsmen including Handscomb.
“We’ve got to be calculated and careful but we’ll try and get him if we can,” Handscomb said.
Admitting the fact of struggling to measure the distance at home, Handscomb further asserted he is looking forward to rotating the strike and find the gaps to put pressure right on the bowler.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll try and hit him over the top. I struggle to hit sixes at big grounds. If I can chip it that will be all right,” Handscomb remarked.
As it is pretty clear Anderson alongside Stuart Broad will be used for the quality time by skipper Joe Root including Chris Woakes, as Jake Ball on the other side is expected to be the first-choice bowling option over Craig Overton.
Following his strong approach in facing the spinners, Handscomb, who is relishing the Ashes build-up, is further keen to take on Moeen Ali right from the word go — to frustrate the England’s slow bowler in a bid to entertain the home crowd.
Precisely, he is further eagerly awaiting for his song Barmy Army is expected to sing during the first Ashes Test in Brisbane starting this Thursday.
After the impressive show, while donning the white jersey in his early days of Test career, Handscomb admitted Ali had been a prominent face in the Three Lions in the contemporary set-up while terming him ‘smart’ owing to his batting ability.
“We also know Moeen is a very good player and very smart because he can bat as well. He understands what batters are thinking,” Handscomb concluded.
VIDEO OF THE DAY:
Handscomb is passionate to collect all-important runs while having the urge to play longer innings in the multi-day competition.