Peter Handscomb caught in Sheffield Shield drama amid teammate's historic act

Aussie Test cricket hopeful Peter Handscomb has been caught up in bizarre scenes in the Sheffield Shield after refusing to walk, despite being given out against South Australia at Adelaide Oval. The strange incident came on an opening day that saw wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper smash the third-fastest century in Shield history to drag the Victorians out of early trouble.

The visitors had slumped to 4/29 after Handscomb was caught by Jake Lehmann at third slip after catching a thick outside edge off the bowling of Brendan Doggett. However, the Victoria batter clearly wasn't convinced the catch had carried and remained out in the middle to plead his case with the umpire.

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“He’s just standing there looking — he can’t believe it," commentator Julia Pitcher said. “He’s just hung the bat out there to dry Handscomb. There’s something he’s upset about.”

Former South Australian cricketer Tom Cooper added: “I don’t think he thinks it’s carried.” Unfortunately for Handscomb, there was no DRS or better angles available to help support his case that it wasn't a legitimate catch from Lehmann.

With Lehmann and his Redbacks teammates convinced it was a fair dismissal and the umpire unflinching from his original decision, Handscomb was left seething as he trudged back to the pavilion for just seven runs. “I think they’ve given him out,” Cooper added. “It looked like it was a clean catch from here.”

Controversy erupts over Peter Handscomb wicket

Upon watching another angle and a frame-by-frame replay of the contentious incident, Cooper then came to the conclusion that Handscomb was right and the catch should not have stood. “Oh, I think that has bounced,” Pitcher conceded. “I think Handscomb might have some basis.” Fans were divided though, with many labelling Handscomb "disrespectful" for not accepting the umpire's decision.

Sam Harper hits third-fastest Shield ton

Harper proved the hero for the Vics on the opening day of the Shield clash after his side lost Marcus Harris (3), Travis Dean (1) and Will Pucovski (12) cheaply. Harper's aggressive rear-guard assault against the Redbacks ultimately helped Victoria reach 5-187 by stumps to leave them in a much healthier position heading into day two.

For Harper, it was his third first-class century in his 44th game, with the wicketkeeper-batter bringing up the milestone in just 64 balls. His superb knock included six sixes and the 26-year-old will resume on Wednesday unbeaten on 101 after combining with Campbell Kellaway (38 no) for a 120-run partnership.

Only David Hookes (34 balls, playing for South Australia) and Luke Ronchi (51 balls, Western Australia) have scored faster Shield centuries. Just 43 overs on Tuesday were bowled as rain and a wet outfield delayed play significantly.

First-change bowler Doggett claimed 2-45 but it was Wes Agar (3-25) who did the bulk of the damage by ripping through openers Travis Dean and Test aspirant Harris to have Victoria reeling at 2-4. Harris lasted just 10 balls in a disappointing showing as he bids to replace the retiring David Warner at the top of the Aussie Test batting order.

Harris would have been hoping to impress Aussie Test selectors ahead of their upcoming summer fixtures but like his teammate Handscomb, will have to wait until the second innings to get another crack. The teams are ranked third and fourth on the ladder, making it a crunch final match before the Shield pauses for a long break until February during the Big Bash League window.

with AAP

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