Twitterati feel bad for Peter Handscomb as Australia leave him out of the World Cup squad

Australia, on Monday, announced their 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales. The spotlight was on the selectors as to whether they will pick Steve Smith and David Warner whose ban ended on March 29 and are currently plying their trades in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The duo is well and firmly back in the set up now but the likes of Peter Handscomb and Josh Hazlewood were left out.

One can understand that Hazlewood has been given more time to recover for the Ashes which follows the World Cup. But Handscomb was in great form and was the vital cog of the Australian team during their recent tours of India and UAE. Batting in the middle-order, the right-handed batsman tackled spin very well and rather dominated the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal who have toppled the line-ups in the past.

One of the better performers

Australia whitewashed Pakistan in the UAE recently and though it was more due to their top order’s performance, Peter Handscomb didn’t disappoint whenever he got the opportunity. In four innings which he played, Handscomb went on to score 92 runs at an average of 30.67 and a strike-rate of 107.

However, it was the India series where Handscomb brought his best performance to the fore. He was the third highest run-getter in the series with 236 runs to his name in five matches at an impeccable average of 47.20 and a more than decent strike-rate of 92. Along with his batting credentials, the 27-year-old is a gun fielder as well and it seems that the return of Smith and Warner has hampered his chances.

But he will surely be in the reserves to replace someone in case one of the batsmen gets injured during or ahead of the World Cup. Twitterati felt bad for Handscomb after he was left out of the squad as many felt he deserved to play in the quadrennial event.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

As much as I am happy for Smith and Warner,I am equally sad and disappointed at Handscomb’s exclusion,lad deserved the chance.#WC2019Squad

— Noor Khan (@noorpk1) April 15, 2019

As they said, some players would be brutally unlucky. Handscomb is one. Injuries played its part in Hazlewood's exclusion. #Worldcup2019 https://t.co/PExKOl9CKw

— Ujwal Kr Singh (@UjwalKS) April 15, 2019

Harsh on Peter Handscomb who misses out #CWC19 squad for @CricketAus but its a brave call by Australia because Steven Smith and Handscomb are one of a kind players. So only one can get a berth.Aus have smartly picked up a squad keeping in mind man to man replacement. #WC2019Squad

— ManIsh #MI 🇮🇳 (@IManish66) April 15, 2019

Handscomb should be in squad https://t.co/L1g8TxTjUF

— Vali Naveen (@ValiNaveen) April 15, 2019

Kinda surprised that Handscomb isn’t in the squad :/

— alizeh. (@loyallarents) April 15, 2019

Australia have picked a strong squad for their defence of the World Cup. But I wonder if they are a batsman and reserve wicket keeper short. That is why I thought they would pick Handscomb instead of one of the fast bowlers.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2019

Handscomb not in the squad🤐 #CWC19 @cricketcomau

— Elango (@ElangoStrTrishh) April 15, 2019

Surprised…. No Handscomb and Turner???? 🤔 https://t.co/Fi0ze5DY98

— Tiilooo 2.0 (@KasamCinemaaki) April 15, 2019

No backup wk
Should've selected Handscomb over marsh
Rest all 🤙 https://t.co/M8bo3KmzoT

— Varun Rayudu™ (@varun_rayudu) April 15, 2019

They left out Peter handscomb and Ashton turner for Warner and Smith 😂😂 However, it's a pretty good squad 🔥👍#CWC19 https://t.co/Gg3N2voxMq

— Chowkidar Gangleader (@Mr_Powerstar) April 15, 2019

Really harsh on Turner and Handscomb that S Marsh was picked ahead of them. Decent looking squad though and Australia do have momentum https://t.co/3CRaDwLa8x

— Warren Tarling (@wozzajt) April 15, 2019

I think in place of alex carey peter handscomb will be the better option .
But still better team with @stevesmith49 and @davidwarner31 🔥💯 @CricketAus https://t.co/1kQtMto7K4

— Sandeep Suryabhan Golhar (@golhar_sandeep) April 15, 2019

Also, no Handscomb is a scam. Especially, losing his place to alex Carey, the one Aussie who hasn't performed at all. I wonder whose nudes in the selection committee does Carey have with him.

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) April 15, 2019

Handscomb must feel really unlucky not to be part of the #CWC19 squad for @CricketAus
He had been on a good patch off late. Should have been a better choice than Shaun Marsh. Overall, looks a strong team to defend. @cricketworldcup #WorldCup2019

— Arpit (@arpitlal) April 15, 2019

Like the World Cup squad. Handscomb most unlucky but silver lining is he can push Ashes case via Aus A form instead of carrying drinks in WC. @FoxCricket

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) April 15, 2019

Agree. Handscomb for may be Richardson. https://t.co/ouWH5tBmwe

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 15, 2019

Handscomb is really unlucky. He’s their best player of spin bowling and would’ve added a backup keeper to their squad too. Harsh on him to miss out. I probably wouldn’t have taken Steve Smith.

— Abhinav 🇮🇳 (@abhinav_k316) April 15, 2019

Surprised Australia going in with seven specialist bowlers none of whom are top seven bats.
And no back up WK which means Carey is a definite starter.
Handscomb really unlucky to miss the bus. https://t.co/bu3ecLt1iw

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) April 15, 2019

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