Handscomb makes 215; Warner and Smith fall cheaply
Peter Handscomb scored the first double-century of his first-class career as Victoria continued to dominate on the second day against New South Wales
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Nov-2016
New South Wales 2 for 95 trail Victoria 6 for 510 dec (Handscomb 215, Dean 134, White 75*) by 415 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Victoria batsman Peter Handscomb made his case for inclusion in Australia's Test squad almost irresistible by raising 215 against New South Wales at the SCG. In front of selector Mark Waugh, and against Test captain Steven Smith and vice-captain David Warner, Handscomb scored the first double-century of his first-class career to deliver Victoria into a powerful position as they declared on 6 for 510.
By the close of play, New South Wales had already lost both Warner and Smith in reply. On 11, Warner was caught at first slip off Scott Boland when he tried to glide the ball fine, and on 8 Smith flashed outside off stump and was caught at slip off Chris Tremain. Both men are certain starters for the Adelaide Test, but the manner of their dismissals was hardly ideal given Australia's batting failures against South Africa.
At stumps, New South Wales were 2 for 95, with opener Daniel Hughes on 42 and Kurtis Patterson on 28. Patterson is another potential contender for a Test call-up, but Handscomb has set the bar high for batsmen trying to impress the selectors. He resumed on 110 alongside Travis Dean on 134, and although Dean was bowled by Doug Bollinger without adding a run, Handscomb was set for a long stay.
Handscomb batted for 356 balls and nearly eight hours in compiling his 215, and became the first man since Brad Hodge in 2008-09 to score a Sheffield Shield double-century for Victoria. Since the start of last summer, Handscomb has scored 1147 Shield runs at 52.13 - more than any other player in the competition. He now appears a likely replacement for Adam Voges in the Adelaide Test squad.
Eventually, Handscomb was dismissed when he advanced to the part-time legspin of Smith, missed, and was stumped by Peter Nevill. His team-mates Matthew Wade (6) and Glenn Maxwell (10) failed to enhance their Test hopes, but the in-form veteran Cameron White continued his prolific season by adding an unbeaten 75 batting at No.7, before the declaration came.