Handscomb 'filthy' with his new role

Australia’s new bat-pad fielding expert Peter Handscomb claims he never volunteered to be stationed in the much-maligned position and has suggested fellow new cap Matthew Renshaw should instead be handed the dubious honour.

Handscomb won praise from commentators, teammates and fans for his work ‘under the lid’ during the second Commonwealth Bank Test against Pakistan at the MCG last week.

Where he snared a pair of sharp catches from spinner Nathan Lyon that crucially helped pave the way for Australia’s remarkable last-day victory as they bowled out the visitors in less than two sessions.

But when asked in Sydney today if he enjoyed his time in the precarious close-catching spot, accomplished wicketkeeper Handscomb joked that he had not flagged any interest to skipper Steve Smith in being stationed there.

And went on to suggest, tongue in cheek, that Australia’s decision makers should consider returning to the tradition whereby the youngest, least experienced member of the playing XI was automatically assigned the unwanted job.

Which, even though they made their Test debuts in the same match against South Africa at Adelaide last month, would be Renshaw who is aged just 20 and is therefore five years Handscomb’s junior.

But has already established himself in the much-coveted slot at first slip, often referred to by envious teammates as ‘the platinum club’.

"No, definitely not," Handscomb shot back when asked today if he had volunteered to field in such close proximity to the bat on the leg side.

"And I’m surprised Matt Renshaw didn’t get it, to be honest.

"Normally the youngster in the team gets it, so I was a bit filthy about that.

"But it’s been all right in there.

"It’s good being at bat-pad when you’ve got a world-class spinner in Nathan Lyon, you know there’s not going to be many drag-downs (balls that drop short and encourage batters to pull).

"So you can go in with a bit of confidence that you’re not going to get hit."

During the course of the Melbourne Test, the dangers that accompany fielding at short leg were graphically illustrated when Pakistan opener Azhar Ali was struck a sickening blow on the protective helmet.

Azhar had ducked his head when he saw Australia batsman Matthew Wade aiming a vicious pull shot.

The blow landed with such force that the ball ballooned to a fielder stationed more than 10m away, and Azhar retired to the dressing room for the remainder of the day where he was tested for concussion before being cleared to return to the field the following morning.

Handscomb’s fielding prowess comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen him keep wickets for Victoria and in the KFC Big Bash League.

However, the fact that he shares state duties with Wade, the incumbent Test gloveman, means he is more often employed as a specialist fielder whose catching capabilities render him ideally suited to close-in roles.

But Handscomb believes he would be able to fill the bill as a Test keeper should Wade be sidelined for any reason during a match or on an upcoming tour, even though he admits to being a little short of practice over recent weeks.

"The (wicketkeeping) gloves stay in the bag and the pads only come out for a bit of bat-pad work," he said today.

"When I’m not keeping it’s pretty much full-time batting and fielding, because I need to be able to catch like a fielder.

"Then as soon as I go back to Big Bash and put the gloves on, I’ll do some work there and make sure that my skills are up to date.

"I think I’d be able to do it (in a Test match) as a last call if no-one else was around.

"I can chuck the gloves on, that would be fine."