Peter Handscomb signs two-month deal with Leicestershire ahead of Ashes

Australia batter Peter Handscomb has signed a two-month deal with English county team Leicestershire. He will look at this as an opportunity to press his case for inclusion in the Australian squads for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final and the Ashes series. Notably, Leicestershire will be his fifth county team as he has earlier represented Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Durham, and Middlesex (as skipper).

Handscomb is currently captaining the first-class men’s cricket team Victoria. The 31-year-old batter will be traveling to the UK after playing for Victoria in the final of Sheffield Shield later this month. He will be available for the first six rounds of matches as he has pulled out of Australia A’s tour to New Zealand.

Handscomb who earned a Test recall in February is a contender for this summer’s Ashes Test. The right-handed batter did not play the longest format of the game until getting a recall for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. He made 145 runs in Australia’s six innings in the four-match series where the visitors lost by 2-1.

Handscomb brings first-class leadership experience: Claude Henderson

Leicestershire Director of Cricket Claude Henderson said that the team is excited to have Handscomb. He feels that the Australian batter will bring leadership experience to the team. Meanwhile, Handscomb said that he feels good to return to Grace Road, having played five games for the Leicestershire Seconds in 2011.

“We are really excited to have Peter on board. Batting in April can be tricky, but he has great knowledge of English conditions, and he will bring first-class leadership experience to our group as well,” Claude Henderson said as quoted by BBC Sport.

“I had a short but enjoyable spell with the Leicestershire Second XI, so it will be good to come back. I’ve always enjoyed playing county cricket. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and be part of the Foxes family,” he said.