Handscomb still in disbelief after ton

Melbourne Stars batsman Peter Handscomb says he has been inundated with messages of support from mates as he reflects on his match-winning innings against Perth Scorchers, which some say is the best seen in this edition of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Match Report: Stars snatch victory from jaws of defeat

In his second game back from a fractured finger, Handscomb plundered 103 runs from 64 balls against a rampant Perth Scorchers side.

Handscomb’s final 54 runs came from 24 balls.

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Peter Handscomb celebrates after the amazing win // Getty Images

With the early loss of English-pair Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen, Handscomb nudged the ball around before launching his assault, hitting six fours and five sixes.

The Victorian still can’t comprehend achieving his maiden Big Bash League ton - surpassing his previous highest score of 25 not out.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet, just going through the messages from my friends has been awesome, slowly but surely getting there and believing what actually happened,” Handscomb said.

“I’ve watched a few highlights; it was nice just to see the ball go over the rope a couple of times which doesn’t normally happen for me but it’s an amazing feeling.”

Handscomb is only the second Stars batsman in BBL history to record a century, after Wright’s 117 in BBL|02.

The Stars still needed 170 runs for victory when Handscomb came to the crease with his side struggling on 2-8.

Needing to reach the 180 runs required for victory in the first 15 overs to help the Stars earn an unlikely home semi-final, the regular fall of wickets made that equation irrelevant and a standard win became the only achievable - but still unlikely - result for the home side to aspire to.

“Our normal game plan was to take it as deep as we can, and we did, obviously with little cameos from Bobby (Quiney) and Hasto (John Hastings) and (Clint) McKay there as well, really helped us and I couldn’t be happier with what happened,” said Handscomb.

The scenario for the Stars became a daunting 80 runs from the last six overs, but through Handscomb and John Hastings the run rate was reduced significantly.

“When the run rate got to about 13-and-a-half that seemed pretty difficult … we managed to bring it back to 10, down to nine and then we were ahead of the run rate,” Handscomb added.

Needing 17 off the final two overs, the Stars were able to complete the task and Handscomb notched the win in style by finishing the game off with two sixes in the final three balls of his innings.

Above: Watch Handscomb's final-over heroics

The Stars will more than likely meet the Perth Scorchers again in a semi-final at the WACA, something Handscomb has little qualms about.

He is even daring to dream the Stars will erase the memory of an 0-3 win loss ratio in BBL semi finals.

“I think we found out a little about them last night, something we can go away with and go over there with a lot of confidence,” he said.

“If we attack them and we can get on top of them then you’ll never know what’ll happen for us.

“It’s about time we won a semi-final!”