Leicestershire Sign Peter Handscomb For Opening Two Months of Season

Leicestershire County Cricket Club is excited to confirm the signing of Australia international Peter Handscomb for the initial two months of the 2023 season.

The 31-year-old will be available for the opening six rounds of the County Championship campaign, featuring as an overseas player alongside Wiaan Mulder before the arrival of former India captain Ajinkya Rahane in June.

Handscomb, who holds a British passport, will fly over to England following the conclusion of the Sheffield Shield final, which begins on Thursday morning, linking up with his new teammates ahead of Leicestershire’s season opener against Yorkshire at Headingley on 6 April.

Having recently returned from Australia’s Test tour of India, in which he was an ever-present, the right-hander is preparing to skipper Victoria against Western Australia with the aim of continuing an outstanding domestic season.

Handscomb has averaged 81.57 in the Sheffield Shield, with his new career-best score of 281 not out, made against Thursday’s opponents last October, headlining his impressive summer.

Presented with his baggy green in November 2016, Handscomb made a sensational start to his Test career, scoring 399 runs at an average of 99.75 in his opening four matches. He reached his maiden Test hundred against Pakistan at the Gabba and followed it with 110 in the third Test at the SCG.

In total, the versatile batsman has featured on 44 occasions for his country across all three formats, averaging 37.2 in Test cricket, 33.26 in One Day Internationals, and 33 in T20 internationals.

Handscomb also possesses a wealth of county cricket experience, having previously played for Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Durham and, most recently, Middlesex.

He is also no stranger to Leicestershire, having represented the Foxes’ Second XI on five occasions in 2011, playing alongside new Club captain Lewis Hill on his way to a score of 117 against Marylebone CCU.

Discussing his move to Uptonsteel County Ground, the Australian international said: “I’m really looking forward to joining Leicestershire ahead of the new season.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing county cricket and I had a short but enjoyable spell with Leicestershire Second XI many years ago, so it will be good to come back.

“I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and be part of the Foxes family at the start of what will be an exciting summer for the Club.”

Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, added: “We are really excited to have Peter on board for the start of the 2023 season.

“Batting in April can be tricky, but he has great knowledge of English conditions, and he will bring first-class leadership experience to our group as well. We can’t wait to have him at Grace Road.”

Handscomb will further strengthen a competitive batting line-up that will boast the likes of skipper Hill, as well as fellow international stars Colin Ackermann, Wiaan Mulder and Rehan Ahmed.

To see the Australian international star for Leicestershire this season, secure a 2023 Membership HERE.