The Australian has produced a series of mighty performances for the Running Foxes across formats this summer, not least in the One-Day Cup, and is relishing the opportunity to repeat those heroics in 2024 and 2025
Peter Handscomb will return to Leicestershire as an overseas player after signing a two-year deal with the club.
The 32-year-old, an 11th-hour addition ahead of this term as a replacement for Abdullah Shafique, has been a revelation for the Grace Road club.
Handscomb, whose stints with Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Durham and most recently Middlesex, where he was club captain for part of two campaigns were underwhelming, started with a century and an unbeaten 68 in the opening round LV= Insurance County Championship win over over Yorkshire at Headingley - the club's first at the ground in first-class cricket since 1910.
He's scored 681 runs in 18 four-day innings to give Leicestershire hope of promotion heading into the final rounds of the Division Two season.
However, his most seismic impact has come in the One-Day Cup, with his 401 runs at 57.28 helping Leicestershire reach their first final in a List A competition for 22 years.
PETER HANDSCOMB: 2023 statsCounty ChampionshipMatches: 10 Runs: 681 Average: 45.40 50s: 4 100s: 29 HS: 136*
One-Day CupMatches: 9 Runs: 401 Average: 57.28 50s: 5 HS: 87
T20 BlastMatches: 5 Runs: 128 Average: 25.60 50s: 1 HS: 61
Though he will miss the final against Hampshire at Trent Bridge on September 16 and the Championship run-in, having returned home to prepare for Australia's domestic season, his absence will be short-lived.
"I wanted to come back because the group is so together," said Handscomb, who has played 20 Tests, 22 ODIs and two T20Is for Australia. "The whole feel around the club on and off the field is really nice, so I want to continue to be part of that.
"We started the season on a massive high and the way the group has been able to maintain that form has been very impressive.
"It's been a whole squad effort, with a lot of belief that everyone in the team has the ability to get us over the line.
"It's always nice to make runs, but it's even more satisfying to be able to contribute to wins. We've done some great work this year and I'm excited to be able to build on that in the next couple of seasons."
Handscomb was instrumental in leading Leicestershire to the One-Day Cup final (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Confirmation of the move comes following the recent announcements of Ben Cox's move from Worcestershire and Liam Trevaskis' imminent arrival from Durham.
Leicestershire remain without a permanent head coach since the departure of Paul Nixon in July, with Alfonso Thomas and James Taylor currently at the helm in the interim.
"We are delighted Pete has committed his future to Leicestershire for the next two years," said director of cricket Claude Henderson.
"He has fitted in seamlessly to the group and his standards as a professional have been a great example to everyone.
"As well as the consistency of his performances, his leadership off the pitch has been invaluable, and he will be a key figure in our squad moving forward."
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