Test recall a 'tough call' – Peter Handscomb

Playing against Sydney Sixers on Thursday, 27 December, Handscomb batted superbly at the Sydney Cricket Ground – also the venue for the final Test – to score 70 at a strike-rate of 200 in a modest chase of 131.

The performance was in stark contrast to his scores of 34, 14, 7 and 13 in the recent Tests against India. Handscomb was pleased to make an immediate impact, but wasn't sure a T20 blitz was enough to bring him back in the Test fray for the New Year's Test.

While announcing that he was being axed for the third Test in Melbourne in favour of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, skipper Tim Paine had indicated that Handscomb would be back in the reckoning for the Sydney Test, but the batsman isn't convinced.

"It’s always nice for them (Paine) to say that. It’s going to be a tough call on their behalf as well," said Handscomb after his match-winning knock.

"Mitch Marsh is probably going to have to play if it is flat and spinning, we’re going to need another bowler. And the other batters are batting really well," the 27-year-old reasoned.

"To come back in the side off the back of one T20 hit is a tough call, but I’ll put my hand up and work in the nets and hopefully something comes of it."

Handscomb's dip in form in Test cricket has prompted talk about his unorthodox technique, and he revealed there's work being put in to try and fix certain problem areas.

"I’ve gone about trying to tinker with a couple of things," he said. "Working with JL [Justin Langer, the coach], working with Hickey [Graeme Hick, the batting coach], having some good conversations about what we think needs to be done to score runs. It’s a bit mentally and a little bit technically as well. It’s the same old conversation that has been happening with my technique for however many years now."