The Story
Bernard Tomic, the professional tennis player, is one of the most talented sportsmen of his country. The 24-year-old has achieved a career-high ranking of 17 and, as a junior won three Orange Bowl titles and two junior grand slam singles titles, 2008 Australian Open and 2009 US Open.
Now, do you know Peter Handscomb, Australia’s Test batting star, was once his competitor?
Tennis was Peter’s first choice sport as a teenager, and he was once, seeded with the highly acclaimed Bernard in an age group tournament.
Later on, just like most multi-talented sports people, Peter had to decide one out of the two sport.
No Regrets
“I used to play a bit of tennis,” the smiling Victorian told reporters, before confirming Roger Federer remains his favourite player. “Not as good as Bernard Tomic.
“I still love my tennis; I go to the Aussie Open whenever I can and go see the ‘Fed. The decision pretty much made itself, I couldn’t win tennis games anymore, and I could make a few runs with the bat, so I chose that.”
Peter is now with the Australia squad which will face Bangladesh in a matter of few days. The preparations are in full swing to face off the challenge which the hosts, backed by favourable conditions, promise to bring on the table.
Bangladesh Poses a Mental Challenge
Peter Handscomb is currently one of the top names in Australia known for his ability to counter spin bowling. The right-hander was handed his Test cap last year and also toured India for the four-match Test series.
The tour saw keenly fought contests, as Australia showed praise-worthy resilience against the spin attack of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Once again, the spin will be the talking point, as Bangladesh will offer no different troubles than India. Dusty wicket will be there and full-fledged spin attack will in action against the Aussies.
Peter, who scored a match-saving unbeaten 72 in the third Test in Ranchi, says that he will now channel his idol Federer’s mentality in trying to succeed in alien conditions.
“I actually don’t think it’s a bad thing going into the subcontinent with an open mind,” said Handscomb, who failed to reach double-digits just once in the four Tests against India but finished with just one half-century in the 1-2 series defeat.
“I think if you haven’t played too many games in the subcontinent, you’re not too worried about how it’s going to go and what it’s going to do.
“If you go in with an open mind, you can play with a bit more freedom rather than go in thinking the ball is going to do everything. you’re almost walking out there (after already) getting yourself out.”
Lack of Practice Game Not an Issue
Handscomb has been focussing on Test format a little more than limited-overs, as he spent three months playing for Yorkshire in county cricket’s top flight while giving the IPL a miss last year after the completion of the Border – Gavaskar series.
He looked in top notch form before arriving here, hitting a century in the three-day intra-squad match on their pre-tour camp in Darwin. That game will likely be the only match practice fixture, as rains have posed a threat to the proposed warm-up match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI at Fatullah.
Team staff will visit Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Monday morning to inspect whether the ground has recovered from recent flooding caused by monsoonal rain. Handscomb states that the squad’s preparation will get better if the match is played but the absence of it won’t cause any harm either.
“I don’t think we’d be going into that first Test cold, whether the tour match goes ahead or not,” he said.
“We had a great preparation up in Darwin; we managed to play a three-day game intra-squad game there.
“I think everyone got what they needed out of it and we know obviously the BCB are doing everything they can to get the pitches up to us and whatever training we can get here, depending on the weather of course.
“I’m sure the boys will be fine and ready to go.”