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Handscomb prepared to weather Ashes heat

Victorian has endured a trial by fire beginning to his international career, which stands him in good stead for the Ashes cauldron

The heat will be on Peter Handscomb this summer.

But it'll be nothing compared to the oppressive humidity of Bangladesh that left Handscomb dizzy, dry retching and severely dehydrated during last month's stoic Test innings.

Handscomb dropped 4.5 kilograms, scored 82, earned the praise of Dean Jones and most importantly put Australia on track for a series-levelling victory in Chittagong.

Handscomb fights on in oppressive heat

Handscomb, who debuted following the horrors of Hobart last year, says the extreme experience is something to draw on during his first Magellan Ashes series.

"Definitely. More mentally than anything else, can always look back on that now and say I've done that," he told reporters.

"If I can survive in heat like that, I can survive in heat at the Gabba or the WACA.

"I don't think I had anything left in the body to throw up. I was trying to take in liquid but the more I took in the sicker I felt.

"It was just a really weird feeling ... it almost makes you focus more on the ball, because you didn't want the weather to be the one that got you out."

Handscomb was already feeling unwell when he started his gutsy innings, having donned a helmet to field at short leg during the day.

The 26-year-old's knock was compared to Jones' efforts during the 1986 tied Test in Chennai, where he lost control of his bodily functions.

"Deano messaged me that night," Handscomb revealed.

"He said 'mate, geez, it looked hot over there but not as hot as Madras'."

The innings was one of many formative moments during an eventful start to Handscomb's international career.

The Victorian has also scored two tons, incensed Virat Kohli in the infamous Bangalore DRS bust-up, helped salvage a draw in Ranchi, and become entwined in the national wicketkeeping debate.

Nothing is likely to compare to this summer's five-Test series against England that starts on November 23.

"It's hard to say it's just another Test series, being an Ashes. This is essentially the pinnacle of Test cricket," Handscomb said.

"There's almost that little bit extra on each ball, each run, each wicket."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21