India vs Australia | Peter Handscomb agrees with inclusion of Mitchell Marsh in Test team

After below-par outings in Adelaide and Perth, Justin Langer opted to go with young all-rounder Mitchell Marsh instead of the misfiring Peter Handscomb. The latter has managed to score a measly 68 runs from four innings in the first two games in Adelaide and Perth. However, the 27-year old put aside the disappointment of his Test team axe for the Boxing Day Test as he smashed a match-winning 70 off 35 balls for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League against Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Handscomb revealed that he understood coach Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine’s decision to go with Mitchell Marsh ahead of himself against India at the MCG.

"Team balance was a big thing for the squad and we've seen we really needed Mitch Marsh to bowl those overs. So it was an important change and that's perfectly fine."

"I've gone about trying to tinker with a couple of things, working with 'JL' (national coach Justin Langer), working with 'Hickey' (batting coach Graeme Hick), having some good conversations about what we think needs to be done to score runs," Handscomb told Cricbuzz.

The Melbourne native added that he will have to put in double the work from here onwards if he intended to force his way back into the Test team. Handscomb opined that Marsh will be preferred at the SCG for the fourth Test as well due to the flatness of the pitch which will probably require an additional bowler.

"It's going to be a tough call on their (the selectors) behalf. Mitch Marsh is probably going to have to play if it (the SCG pitch) is flat and spinning, we're going to need another bowler. And the other batters are batting really well.

"To come back in the side off the back of one T20 hit is a tough call, but I'll put my hand up and work my arse off in the nets and hopefully something comes of it," Handscomb concluded.

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