Out-of-favour Australian batsman Peter Handscomb says he is refusing to drastically alter his batting technique despite hefty criticism being directed his way during the Ashes series.
The middle-order Victorian batsman has not made an appearance in the Test side since the Second Test against England in Adelaide, where he looked to visibly struggle in scoring 48 runs across both innings.
Handscomb says that upon analysing the footage of his performance in Adelaide, he believes his technique is no different to the one that gave him so much success at number five earlier in 2017, citing the tough batting conditions in the day-night Test as the reason for his low scores.
“I was doing exactly what I was doing 12 months ago, and if I’m being honest, I was under lights with a pink ball on a green, seaming wicket at Adelaide,” the 26-year-old told SEN Afternoons.
“I’m not a pretty player by any means…I can look real ugly, but I still did my job and got through those tough times and unfortunately didn’t go through with it the next day.”
Due to this, Handscomb says that his technique will not be significantly changing going forward.
“I’ve been feeling good all summer, so I haven’t been too worried about trying to tinker with too many things,” he said.
“It’s not easy hearing such high-profile players, especially if guys that have done well in their own right, tear your technique to shreds (but) that’s part of professional cricket.
“A lot of it is self-belief. I’ve been making runs with this technique for four years now and making quite a few runs. I’m not going to be changing massive things off the back of one and a half games.
“It’s just about going to what I know, making sure my shapes are right and I am trying to hit the ball straight. Hopefully the runs come.
“I’m still moving well, my weight transfer is still good.
“You know within yourself whether you’re seeing the ball well or not and it’s just about backing yourself more than anything else.”
Handscomb remain in the Test squad as reserve batsman and wicketkeeper for the four-Test tour of South Africa next month.
Listen to Peter Handscomb chatting with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons below: