“It has always been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I was delighted when Gloucestershire expressed an interest in me joining them”

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Gloucestershire have signed Victoria wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb as one of their overseas players for the upcoming county season.

Handscomb will take Michael Klinger’s spot on the roster for the first half of the season and will be available to play in all three formats as well.

As of right now, Handscomb averages 34.15 in first-class cricket, 38.94 in List A cricket and 171 in Twenty20 cricket since he has only been dismissed once in his eight innings, which includes a maiden century during the most recent edition of the Big Bash League (BBL).

“It has always been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I was delighted when Gloucestershire expressed an interest in me joining them,” Handscomb said. “I have heard good things about the players at Nevil Road and I am looking forward to meeting up with them in April.”

Gloucestershire’s head coach Richard Dawson added: “It is brilliant for the club to get Peter for the season. He’s coming off the back of an exceptional season with Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and also in the Big Bash League where he made headlines with his hundred for the Melbourne Stars.

“Peter is a young, exciting player who is highly rated in Australia. The people I have spoken to have all given me very positive feedback on him as a player and as a bloke. At 23 he is a similar age to the rest of the squad and will fit into our dressing room well.

“He will bring positive competition for the batting spots and new ideas from his experiences in Australia. It is a good opportunity for him to showcase his talents in English conditions – especially with Australia over here for the Ashes and we believe we can help him to continue his development.”