A number of Australian cricketers took to Twitter to congratulate Peter Handscomb on his maiden Test century that he brought up against Pakistan in just his second Test in international cricket. The Victoria-born cricketer made his debut against South Africa in the final Test at Adelaide a couple of weeks ago.
The right-handed, 25-year-old, middle-order batsman did a stellar job as he helped his team post a total of over 400 on the board. The importance of Handscomb’s innings lies in the fact that he held one side of the crease down, when the Pakistan bowlers made a sparkling comeback into the game on day 2 with 4 fours wickets early on.
It was a very solid innings, coming off 240 balls, boasting of 10 fours and 1 solitary six.
To understand the importance of Peter Handscomb’s century, one must go some time back. Victoria is one of the greatest producers of cricketers amongst the Australian states, but over the years, has seen a stark decline in the number of Test cricketers, with youngsters preferring to focus on the shorter formats of the game.
Against India in the boxing day Test two years, Australia had only one Victorian, Chris Rogers, in the playing XI and he wasn’t even born in Victoria.
The last Victorian, who was born and played for the state, to score a Test century for Australia was Brad Hodge back in 2005.
"Across the representative teams it's still really healthy, which is pleasing but that is specific to the short forms at the moment. We're not getting players, and batsmen specifically, playing long-form cricket for Australia and that is something we want to rectify." Victoria Cricket boss Tony Dodemaide had said during the boxing day Test.
Thus when Handscomb got over the line, there were a number of cricketers, especially those from Victoria, who had a moment to savour –
Former Australian cricketer Damien Fleming
Fellow Victorian cricketer Fawad Ahmed
Dean Jones, who had a glorious 10-year international career
Victoria’s greatest cricketer of all time
Mitchell Johnson
Former Aussie skipper Michael Clarke
Peter Handscomb will be hoping that his century will help his side get over the line and continue their resurgent run.
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