Peter Handscomb needs to go: Shane Warne

Dec 11, 2017 - 8:28 AM Shane Warne has entered Australia's selection debate that appears to be swinging in Mitch Marsh's favour ahead of the third Ashes Test.

Marsh and Peter Handscomb are scrapping over the final spot in Steve Smith's XI that will face England in the WACA clash that starts on Thursday.

Handscomb has passed 50 in one of his nine first-class knocks since the start of the season, with speculation building he will be dropped in favour of Marsh.

A flat pitch - which is the widespread expectation in Perth - is likely to result in selectors wanting an allrounder in the team. Coach Darren Legmann all but confirmed as much upon arrival on Sunday.

Legendary legspinner Warne posted on Twitter that "Australia would like to keep a winning team together, but unfortunately Handscomb needs to go back to Shield cricket urgently and sort his technique out".

The Sheffield Shield is however on its mid-season hiatus. Handscomb would instead return to Big Bash League club Melbourne Stars if he is axed.

A handful of Twenty20 matches would ensure Handscomb finds it hard to convince selectors he warrants a recall for the MCG or SCG Tests against England.

Australia landed in Perth on Sunday and then trained at the WACA on Monday. Handscomb was stationed at first slip during fielding practice, while he had an extended hit and was one of the last batsmen to leave the nets.

National selector Mark Waugh backed Handscomb to find form last week, calling the Victorian "mentally strong".

Former captains Michael Clarke and Allan Border both suggested last week they would stick with an unchanged XI.

Source: AAP