Peter Handscomb On Whether Australia Will Enforce The Follow-On

"I'm a big believer..."


Article heading image for Peter Handscomb On Whether Australia Will Enforce The Follow-On

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Peter Handscomb believes Australia should opt against enforcing the follow-on in their day-night Test against Pakistan at the Gabba.

Pakistan unravelled spectacularly under lights on Friday and will resume at 8-97 when day three starts in Brisbane.

The tourists currently trail Australia by 332 runs. Their batsmen were ruthlessly dismantled by the subtle movement and bounce of Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird and Mitchell Starc.

Handscomb felt skipper Steve Smith would resist the temptation of putting Pakistan back in, an option that will be available unless keeper Sarfraz Ahmed (31 not out) works wonders with the tail.

"No indication as yet but I'm a big believer if we give the bowlers time to rest, time to put their feet up then they'll win us the game," Handscomb said, having scored his maiden Test ton to lift Australia to a total of 429.

"Ultimately we need to take 20 wickets to win the game.

"So if we can get them to put their feet up, get in the icebaths and rest up, they can come out firing and hopefully run through them."

Australia haven't enforced the follow-on since trouncing West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in Hobart last summer.

Handscomb deflected praise after his knock of 105, preferring to focus on Hazlewood's impressive haul of 3-19 from 11 overs.

"It's definitely up there," Handscomb said, when asked if it is the best pink-ball bowling he has ever seen.

"He's able to land it on a five-cent coin pretty much all the time.

"He's definitely one of our strike bowlers, if not the best bowler in the country.

'He's doing a great job. He's awesome. It's great to have him actually on my team for a change and not have to face that."

Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz, who was caught and bowled by Hazlewood, said the right-armer "always bowls good line and length, he's always successful".

"Obviously it's a huge lead right now. What we can do is try our level best, try to restrict them if we have to bowl again," Wahab said.

- AAP

Join Triple M's coverage of the Australia vs. Pakistan Test match live from 1:30 pm at the Gabba. Triple M rocks Test Cricket.

17 December 2016




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