Handscomb signs on for county cricket stint

Rising Victorian wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb has signed up to play county cricket this winter as the battle to be Brad Haddin's understudy for the Ashes tour heats up.

Handscomb, a top-order batsman who is averaging 58.5 this season for the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers before this week's round of matches, has signed on with Bristol-based Gloucestershire where he will play alongside fellow Australian Michael Klinger.

The 23-year-old will play all formats and caught the county's attention during the KFC T20 Big Bash League, where his standout performances for the Melbourne Stars included a memorable unbeaten century at the MCG against eventual champions Perth.

Highlights of Handscomb's Big Bash century 

"It has always been an ambition of mine to play county cricket, and I was delighted when Gloucestershire expressed an interest in me joining them," Handscomb said in a statement.

"I have heard good things about the players at Nevil Road and I am looking forward to meeting up with them in April."

A former Australia Under-19 player, Handscomb was selected in an Australia A side to play England's developmental squad the Lions in 2013.

Born in Melbourne, Handscomb's parents are English and he holds a British passport, but has joined Gloucester as one of the two overseas signings counties are allowed, maintaining ties with Australia.

Gloucestershire coach Richard Dawson said the move could be timely for the talented youngster, with Australia's Ashes-touring squad set to be in England this year.

"It is brilliant for the club to get Peter for the season," Dawson said.

"He's coming off the back of an exceptional season with Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and also in the Big Bash League, where he made headlines with his hundred for the Melbourne Stars.

"This is a good opportunity for him to showcase his talents in English conditions - especially with Australia over here for the Ashes - and we believe we can help him to continue his development."

Handscomb's century against SA in November

Handscomb is one of several names high in Australian selectors' thoughts with Test tours to the West Indies, Britain and Bangladesh this winter.

Fellow Victorian Matthew Wade is another gloveman in the frame while NSW Blues 'keeper Peter Nevill pushed his case with an unbeaten 235 against Tasmania in Hobart.

Nevill has 677 runs at 84.62 this Bupa Sheffield Shield season, with two centuries and three fifties, while Handscomb has tallied 468 at 58.5, also with two centuries and three fifties.

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Handscomb hits out in front of NSW's Nevill // Getty Images

Highly rated WA youngster Sam Whiteman has underwhelmed this season with the bat, averaging 20.33 with one fifty while South Australia gloveman Tim Ludeman – who also had an impressive BBL showing with the Adelaide Strikers – is averaging 26.36 with one century.

Whiteman, however, has the most dismissals this season amongst domestic wicketkeepers with 31, one ahead of Queensland's Chris Hartley.

Nevill, who keeps to Test spinners Nathan Lyon and Stephen O'Keefe has three stumpings this season, the most by any 'keeper.

Handscomb and Wade have split wicketkeeping duties for Victoria, with Handscomb taking seven catches in five innings while Wade has 19 catches and a stumping from nine innings wearing the gloves.