Australian captain Steve Smith has concerns about the WACA wicket and believes an all-rounder will best suit conditions.

Selector Greg Chappell could be seen talking extensively to Handscomb in the WACA nets, likely about his impending snub. 

Handscomb averages 47 at Test level and Smith said he should not take his likely omission as a blight on his form or potential as a player.

“Yeah it’s tough and if we do go down that route then it’s purely for the reasons that we think we need an extra bowler,” Smith said.

“It’s nothing to do with anyone’s batting.

"It’s purely for the reasons we think we need an extra bowler on this wicket and the stats suggest over the last couple of years that the bowlers have had a fairly heavy workload out on this wicket.

“We’re probably leaning down that way at the moment but again it’ll depend on what we think the wicket is like [Thursday] and if it’s going to be hard, fast and bouncy that might again change our thinking.”