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Although he hasn’t played the T20 Blast much, director of cricket Claude Henderson says Peter Handscomb has “all the necessary qualities” and will captain Leicestershire this season.
In the last two seasons of Australia’s Big Bash League, Handscomb has only made six appearances. Last year, he was without a contract until the Melbourne Stars called him in as a last-minute replacement when their first-choice wicketkeeper, Sam Harper, suffered a horrific injury.
But Leicestershire are banking on Handscomb’s wider experience as they aim to qualify for T20 Finals Day for the first time since 2011, when they won their third T20 title. “I’m very excited to lead this team,” Handscomb said. “The balance of the side looks good and hopefully we can perform to the standards we’ve set ourselves.”
Handscomb played five times in the Blast, three of which he captained, after having his contract extended after initially signing with Leicestershire for six County Championship games last year. At the conclusion of the previous season, he inked a two-year agreement that covered 2024 and 2025. With a century and three fifties in five innings, he leads their Championship run-scorer this year.
Leicestershire won the Metro Bank Cup last year and hope their 50-over form will translate to the T20 Blast. “We showed in the One Day Cup last year what we can do in white-ball cricket, so it’s an exciting prospect to try and replicate that in the T20s this year,” Handscomb said. “We want to entertain and play a fun brand of cricket.”
Henderson said: “Pete holds all the necessary qualities we are looking for in a captain. Not only does he possess extensive leadership experience, but he is also an incredibly calm head on the field and a highly respected voice in the changing room.”