Victoria veteran breaks ton drought on flat MCG pitch -

Peter Handscomb has struck a brilliant 131no on day one of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match with WA at the MCG

Peter Handscomb has toughed his way out of a form slump with a stoic Sheffield Shield century for Victoria against undefeated Western Australia.

The Victoria veteran cashed in on a batter-friendly MCG pitch for his 31st first-class hundred on Wednesday as the Shield returned to the hallowed turf for the first time this season.

Showing off his penchant for playing spin bowling, the former Test batter manoeuvred his way to 131 not out off 253 balls to move Victoria to 3-292 at stumps on day one.

Chair of selectors George Bailey has flagged Australia’s squad for the first Test against New Zealand in Perth will be picked at the end of this round of Shield matches.

While Handscomb has not been floated as a possible replacement for discarded No.3 Marnus Labuschagne, the 35-year-old could come under consideration for Australia’s subsequent five-Test tour of India.

But his cause has not been aided by scores of 8, 16 and two ducks in Australia A matches against India A last month or previously averaging 15 across his six Shield digs since returning from the sub-continent.

A two-time century maker across 20 Tests since 2016, Handscomb last featured at Test level in Australia’s 2023 tour of India.

Winless after three rounds, Victoria capitalised after winning the toss and electing to bat on a less-grassy-than-usual MCG wicket.

Sam Harper (8) didn’t do his case for Test squad elevation any favours after Albert Esterhuysen took a screamer at fine leg off the bowling of Kieran Elliott (1-57) in the third over.

Esterhuysen (1-52), who replaced frontline paceman Jhye Richardson (managed) in WA’s XI, then had fellow opener Marcus Harris (15) nicking to wicketkeeper Joel Curtis.

It left Victoria precariously placed at 2-44, particularly given their weakened batting stocks in the absence of Ollie Peake (Australia ODI squad) and Campbell Kellaway (back spasms).

Ash Chandrasinghe, recalled for his first Shield appearance of the season after successive state second XI centuries, made the most of the opportunity at No.3 with 53 off 135 balls.

Chandrasinghe ends two-year Shield hiatus with fifty at the G

Chandrasinghe and Handscomb combined for a 112-run partnership before throwing away his wicket trying to slog left-armer Corey Rocchiccioli (1-67) against the spin.

Fellow batting inclusion Blake Macdonald was more fluent for his unbeaten 74 off 156 balls, but it wasn’t without a few streaky edges after the second new ball was taken.

Victoria’s pace attack has been completely overhauled following their round three draw with Queensland.

Fergus O’Neill (minor neck strain), Matt Hennig and Mitch Perry (both managed) have been replaced by ex-WA pacer David Moody, young left-arm quick Harry Hoekstra and debutant Austin Anlezark.

2026-27 Sheffield Shield standings

Round 1

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	3	2	0	1	0	2.31	2.9	18.21
2 Western Australia Men WA	3	2	0	1	0	2.53	2.5	18.03
3 Queensland Bulls QLD	3	1	1	1	-1	2.18	3	11.18
4 South Australia Men SA	3	1	2	0	0	1.42	2.4	9.82
5 NSW Men NSW	3	0	1	2	0	4.77	2.4	9.17
6 Victoria Men VIC	3	0	2	1	0	1.58	2.4	4.98