Batsman Peter Handscomb is focused on earning a recall to Australia’s Test XI for next year’s fourth and final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Handscomb scored 34, 14, seven and 13 in Tests one and two in Adelaide and Perth, but was dropped for the ongoing third in Melbourne.

He was replaced by all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, as Australia sought an additional bowler.

‘Team balance was a big thing and we’ve seen that we’ve really needed Mitch to bowl those overs in Melbourne, so it was an important change and that is perfectly fine,’ said Handscomb.

The talented 27-year-old struck a match-winning 70 for the Melbourne Stars against the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League earlier this week – and drew example from opener Aaron Finch’s graduation to the Test XI on the back of a fine stretch of form in T20 cricket.

‘It’s always nice for them to say, but it will be a tough call on their behalf. Mitch will probably have to play if it is flat or spinning, we’ll need another bowler, and the other batters are batting really well, so to come back into the side on the back of one T20 hit is a tough call, but I’ll be working my arse off in the nets and hopefully something comes of it,’ he added.

‘Runs are runs. We saw Aaron get picked in the Test side on the back of some solid T20 runs, but that was multiple games, this was one hit and if I’m going to try and get back in I have to try and do it again and again, and really force my hand so the selectors have no choice but to pick me. It was good to make runs today, but doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.’

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