Australia's Handscomb hurting after Test axing

Test discard Peter Handscomb says he is hurting after being axed from Australia's squad to play Pakistan next month, but has heeded the message that he must score more runs.

The middle-order batsmen was sacrificed after form deserted him, with selectors opting instead for uncapped pair Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.

Since making his Test debut against South Africa in late 2016, Handscomb has averaged a creditable 43.63.

But the 27-year-old paid the price for being dismissed in single figures nine times from his last 11 innings across all formats.

"It's obviously tough, getting dropped at any stage hurts," he told cricket.com.au Tuesday.

"I was backing myself to score runs in the subcontinent. I had a tough tour (this month) with Australia A in India, but I know I can do it and I've done it before both in India and Bangladesh."
"I've read we have gone with character over ability and all this stuff. Well, what's wrong with Tremain's character? He seems fine to me."