I even remember going into a level-two coaching seminar, where all these two-bob coaches were tearing apart my technique frame by frame. I was fuming. How dare they do this? So I stormed in and got some chalk and wrote my Test, one-day international and state averages on the blackboard to shut them up. Sadly, it didn’t. It’s gut-wrenching to know that this Boxing Day Test could be your last if you miss out again. When I watch you bat, I just don’t see the same confidence as in Shield cricket. Where is that swagger that I see when I watch you bat for Victoria? I want to see that guy, not the one I have watched in Adelaide and Perth. Peter Handscomb needs to play instinctively, Credit:AAP Hopefully you will get another shot at No. 5 on Boxing Day. This is a line-in-the-sand moment for your Test career. This is the time that you must back your ability, mindset and technique. I know you are adamant that your technique will stand up to the rigours of Test cricket. Well, it’s time young man. The wolves are at the front door. Some thoughts for you to note. After reading this letter, no more reading of the press or looking at social media. We need discipline now more than ever. Stop listening and start doing.

When batsmen are out of sorts, they have a tendency to play the ball too early. It’s easier said than done, but try to play it later if you can. Concentrate on a light grip pressure when you are feeling tight. When I was out of form or lacking timing, I knew I needed some heavy workloads in the nets. I know you are not a massive ball-hitter like a Steve Smith, but we need to hit loads of balls now. Time to get to the Junction Oval or Albert nets and hit plenty. I know the practice decks at MCG aren’t flash and we need to find some flatter practice decks. You are catching everything at the moment, which is always a good indicator. Get Chris Rogers or whoever you trust to watch you bat. It’s time to be positive in everything you do. I know you are not too far out of touch as you are catching everything at the moment, which is always a good indicator. Why are you catching well? You are the best fieldsman in the team and you do it instinctively. Maybe that’s the way you should bat – instinctively. Keep things simple.

Every athlete of note has gone through what you are going through. I remember reading how great Australian golfer David Graham dealt with challenging mindsets. He didn’t want his opponents to know that his brain was being flooded with negative thoughts. Graham put his hand in his pocket and literally pinched his thighs until they almost bled. His focus would switch to the pain. Greg Norman would fold his arms and stick his thumb into his sternum until he couldn’t bear the pain any longer to flush out those negative thoughts. So it’s time to be super positive in everything you do. The next thing to work on is your game plan. You need to constantly ask yourself when you are batting, where can I get a one? Where can I get a boundary? Communication is imperative with your batting partner to know where you can pinch a single.

I often used to stare at a pitch and put it into zones. That was my positive mindset. If a bowler bowled a ball in a certain area I would play a certain shot. I looked at areas on a pitch knowing where I had to defend. I even used to make a mark on a length to show where my off stump was (discretely, of course). Handscomb talks with national coach Justin Langer in the nets. Credit:AAP Please try to understand where this Indian attack is trying to get you out. What’s your plan to counter attack? Whatever it is, believe in it and don’t move away from it under pressure. I feel the key for your success is that you must be brave and courageous in executing your game plan. This Indian attack will bowl off and fourth stump lines to you. They will bowl two lengths, either armpit height or full of a length, trying to cramp you up or bash your front pad. Now this is where Justin Langer has mentioned lately that maybe you are not watching for length enough and there’s probably some truth to that. So we need to get a drive away early if they pitch up to hurt or worry the bowlers.

Also I feel you need to play the odd pull shot early, instead of the ramp down to third man. You know you have these shots, you just need to watch for length more. I know playing in front of your home crowd at your beloved MCG will be a lot of fun. What an opportunity to show them how good you are. You made a century here earlier this year and you know every blade of grass. Bloody own it! I know there will be a little lump in your throat as you walk out. Just be mindful of your diet in the morning. No sugar, please, in anything you drink or eat, including chewing gum. We have enough anxiety around you without sugar adding to it. Stick to your routines. Loud calls. When defending, make sure the ball is defended straight down the pitch. Not to cover, point or gully. Straight! Run aggressively between the wickets and let these guys know that you mean business and that you are up for the fight.