Peter Handscomb ended a long wait for a first-class century with a superb unbeaten 131 for Victoria against Western Australia on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, 11 November.

Handscomb came out to bat at four in the first hour of the day after Victoria lost both their openers cheaply, and he steadied the innings before guiding the home side to 292 for three at stumps. It was his first first-class century in 25 innings, and it put Victoria in a commanding position against the previously undefeated Western Australia.

The 35-year-old stabilised the innings with Ashley Chandrasinghe, who made 53, adding 112 runs for the third wicket. After Chandrasinghe's dismissal, Blake Macdonald proved an able ally, finishing unbeaten on 74 as the pair added 136 runs for the fourth wicket. Handscomb remained unbeaten on 131 off 254 balls at stumps, with only five fours, in a patient innings built on his renowned skill against spin.

His last three-figure score in the format had come exactly a year ago against New South Wales. Following that knock, Handscomb lost his form and could manage only one half-century in his next 24 innings. His lean run spilled into the new Shield season, where he had scored only 90 runs in six innings before this knock. He also struggled on the recent Australia A tour of India, mustering only 24 runs in two unofficial Tests, including a pair in the second match.

"It's been weird," Handscomb said. "I felt good, and it's such a shame when you feel good and you don't make runs because you're just kicking yourself the whole time." He added: "I just went back to probably a couple of basics from last game to this game and really doubled down on how I wanted to bat."

Handscomb's century also comes at a time when Australia are in need of a middle-order batter, with Marnus Labuschagne set to be dropped for New Zealand's visit. Usman Khawaja has named Handscomb as a potential replacement for Labuschagne, although Cricket Australia's report noted he has not been formally floated for that role. The chair of selectors, George Bailey, has flagged that Australia's squad for the first Test against New Zealand in Perth will be picked at the end of this round of Shield matches, and Handscomb could also come under consideration for Australia's subsequent five-Test tour of India.

Handscomb has played 20 Tests for Australia, having made his debut in 2016 against South Africa in Adelaide, where he scored a fifty. His last appearance in the Baggy Green came in March 2023, against India in Ahmedabad. He averages 37.20 in Tests, having scored 1,079 runs with two centuries and five fifties. Notably, he was the 2025-26 Shield season's top run-getter with 724 runs at 34.47.

Victoria, winless after three rounds, capitalised after winning the toss and electing to bat on a less-grassy-than-usual MCG wicket, with the Shield returning to the ground for the first time this season. Sam Harper made only eight before Albert Esterhuysen took a catch at fine leg off Kieran Elliott in the third over, and fellow opener Marcus Harris fell for 15, leaving Victoria precariously placed at two for 44, particularly given the absence of Ollie Peake and Campbell Kellaway.

Chandrasinghe, recalled for his first Shield appearance of the season after successive state second XI centuries, made the most of the opportunity at number three with 53 off 135 balls before throwing away his wicket trying to slog left-arm spinner Corey Rocchiccioli. Macdonald, the fellow batting inclusion, was more fluent for his unbeaten 74 off 156 balls, although not without a few streaky edges after the second new ball was taken.

Western Australia's attack was without frontline paceman Jhye Richardson, who was managed, with Esterhuysen taking one for 52 and Elliott one for 57. Victoria's pace attack has also been completely overhauled following their round three draw with Queensland, with Fergus O'Neill, Mitch Perry and Mitch Hennig replaced by David Moody, Harry Hoekstra and debutant Austin Anlezark. For Handscomb, though, the day belonged to him, and he will resume on day two with a big score in his sights and his Test hopes revived.

Sources: Wisden and Cricket Australia.