Peter Handscomb is an Australian cricket player who was born on April 26, 1991, to British parents. When main wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is unavailable, the right-handed batsman doubles as a part-time wicketkeeper.
Early Days
Handscomb began playing cricket for St. Kilda Cricket Club in the Victorian Premier League at a young age. In the 2011-2012 domestic cricket season, his excellent results won him selection to his home side, Victoria.
Handscomb was a member of Victoria’s Under-17 and Under-19 teams, and then went on to represent Australia’s Under-19 squad during their tour of Sri Lanka.
He was picked by Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League for the 2012-2013 season after batting extraordinarily well for Victoria.
He rose to prominence in first-class cricket during the 2013-2014 season, making three centuries and averaging over 50. He later went on to play county cricket for Gloucestershire in 2015.
Debut
Handscomb was picked for Australia A in 2015 and was also offered the captaincy in 2016. He showed solid technique and a calm temperament in first-class cricket. Handscomb’s first domestic double century coincided with Australia’s bad showing in a home series against South Africa in 2016.
At the age of 25, he made his Test debut against South Africa in the third test in 2016. He had an impressive start to his career, scoring 399 runs in four matches and averaging 99.75.
Handscomb made his ODI debut in 2017, scoring an impressive 82 in a fruitful chase against Pakistan.
Rise to Glory
In 2017, he was chosen for Australia’s tour of India. Despite his mediocre numbers, he showed that he wasn’t merely a backyard player and that he could adapt to different circumstances.
In the third test, he scored 72 not out and saved the match. With a resolute 82 in a test against Bangladesh, Handscomb improved his overseas record.
Handscomb was named to the Australian squad for the 2017-2018 Ashes series after demonstrating his versatility and confidence abroad.
Records
Peter Handscomb is the first player in test cricket history to score more than fifty runs in each of their first seven matches. He also has the distinction of being the first player to score a century in a Day/Night test match.