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Brydon Coverdale
October 25, 2011
The choice between cricket and football is a common dilemma for young sportsmen. Peter Handscomb had a different decision to make. A talented junior tennis player who was seeded in tournaments that also featured Bernard Tomic, Handscomb had to decide whether to pursue a career on the court or on the pitch.
"There was a point in time where I did have to make that decision," Handscomb told ESPNcricinfo. "But it didn't turn out to be that hard. I could see that cricket was more of a chance, especially because tennis is such an expensive game to get in to. Travelling the world would have been quite hard."
And now the rewards for choosing cricket have started to arrive. It has been a big month for Handscomb, 20. A fortnight ago, he made his first-class debut for Victoria and compiled a patient, mature 71, and he followed that last week with a magnificent double-century in a second XI match against New South Wales.
Now, it has maintained its place in Sheffield Shield outing against the Blues, even though the return of David Hussey and Aaron Finch from international duty. This victory alone is Handscomb, who earned his first contract as a rookie this year in Victoria, but are likely to spend the summer looking at the side of Bush Rangers.
"I just want to take my place while I can," said Handscombe. "I never expected to play a game, let alone to start the season on the team, so here is actually an advantage. However, my goals have changed and I want to stay as possible."
Stay as long as you can be the purpose Handscomb not only a team environment, but playing every inning. Opener a winner with the club in the competition of St Kilda Melbourne degree, Handscomb has learned a long time for his team beat Captain Graeme Rummans, and the work paid off when he did last 233 weeks, the second XI game.
"I talked my head right Rummo and the mental part of it," said Handscombe. "This is not to be really happy to do 70 or 80, or if you reach a hundred, not satisfied with just a hundred."
It helped that Handscombe spent the winter playing club cricket in England, where he was selected for the Leicestershire second XI and quickly opening of the 117 laps in his first game. But despite having a British passport - who was born in Australia of English parents - Handscombe loyalties are firmly with Australia.
And after playing for Australia Under-19 two years ago, during Handscombe finally arrived in the state this month after scoring a century in a "probable case of possible" match State squad before the start of the season. As you approach an early season pitch Handscombe Gabba, who admits he is "certainly not large billboards clearer," had to keep his strokeplay more.
"I talk to Shippy [Shipperd coach Greg] in advance and talked about how to play in this field, and what shots to play than not," he said. "He found that only a few of my photos that I had to stop in. It was really a conscious effort to survive and stay in."
He did just that. Now, his next task is to take the side of Victoria, when the captain Cameron White will return. Whatever happens, Handscomb is a pleasure to have a promising start to his career.
"Cricket is one of those games where it does not take much to go in another direction," he said. "I hope I can go on as long as possible."
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