Peter Handscomb ends century drought

Handscomb came out to bat at four in the first hour of the day after Victoria lost both their openers cheaply. He stabilised the innings with Ashley Chandrasinghe (53) first, adding 112 runs for the third wicket, and continued to grind down the opposition.

After Chandrasinghe’s dismissal, Blake Macdonald (74*) proved to be an able ally as the duo stitched together 136 runs for the fourth wicket. In the process, Hanscomb ended his century drought with a 30th first-class ton and seemed determined to notch up a big score. He remained unbeaten on 131 off 254 at stumps, with only five fours, as Victoria finished the day at 292-3.

Take a bow, Pete! 👏🔥 A masterclass from Peter Handscomb, finishing unbeaten on a brilliant 131* at the ’G! https://t.co/PNjox78GNa

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) November 11, 2026

His last three-figure score in the format came exactly a year ago against New South Wales. However, following that knock, Handsomb lost his form and could notch up only one half-century in his next 24 innings. His lean run spilled into the new Shield season, where he had scored only 90 runs in six innings before today's knock. He also couldn't impress on the recent India tour with Australia A, mustering only 24 runs in two unofficial Tests, including a pair in the second match.

Handscomb’s century also comes at a time when Australia are in need of a middle-order batter, with Marnus Labuschagne set to be dropped for New Zealand's visit. Notably, he was the 2025/26 Shield season's top run-getter with 724 runs at 34.47 and also scored 693 runs in the season before that. Usman Khawaja named him as a potential replacement for Labuschagne as well.

Handscomb has played 20 Tests for Australia, having made his debut in 2016 against South Africa in Adelaide, where he scored a fifty. His last appearance in the Baggy Green came in March 2023, against India in Ahmedabad. Handscomb averages a decent 37.20 in Tests, having scored 1079 runs with two centuries and five fifties.

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