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Will Pucovski announcement leaves cricket world gutted: 'Sad story'

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Will Pucovski, pictured here during an Australian nets session at the MCG in 2021.
Will Pucovski looks on during an Australian nets session at the MCG in 2021. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Cricket fans have been left gutted for Will Pucovski after it was announced on Thursday that the Aussie young gun is taking another indefinite break from the game.

Pucovski's future is once again in doubt after the rising star opted to take a third period of indefinite leave from the game.

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Cricket Victoria confirmed on Thursday that the 24-year-old had decided to sit out upcoming matches, ruling him out of Sheffield Shield cricket ahead of the Test summer.

It marks the third time Pucovski has stepped away from the game in a stop-start career that has been derailed by a number of concussions.

The Victorian batter had only just returned to the game at the start of this season after suffering the 11th concussion of his short career.

His return initially came as part of a cricket academy tour of India in August, before he scored a big century for Victoria's Second XI in September.

The right-hander made scores of 0, 9 and 37 in two Sheffield Shield games for Victoria, before not playing in recent 50-over games for his state.

He was due to play for Victoria in Hobart on Saturday before Thursday's announcement, with the latest decision not believed to be related to any injury.

Cricket Victoria said in a statement they would support Pucovski and asked for privacy.

"Player welfare is always our top priority; we'll continue to work with Will to ensure he gets the support and space he needs and welcome him back when he's ready," high-performance manager Graham Manou said.

Will Pucovski, pictured here during a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia.
Will Pucovski looks on during a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images) (Morgan Hancock via Getty Images)

Cricket world left heartbroken for Will Pucovski

Widely regarded as one of Australian cricket's brightest talents, Pucovski has played one Test match against India in January of 2021.

After announcing himself as a star in the making with a double century against Western Australia in 2018, he initially took personal leave in October that year.

He was then expected to be named in the Australian Test squad at the start of the 2019-20 summer, before withdrawing himself from contention.

He has since worked closely with his mind coach Emma Murray and repeatedly stated the fire still burns in him to add to his sole appearance for Australia.

"You are going to fail a lot in cricket, that happens," Pucovski said in an interview about his work with Murray in 2019.

Will Pucovski, pictured here at the Australian Cricket Awards in 2019.
Will Pucovski at the Australian Cricket Awards in 2019. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

"But if I am consistent in how I go about it I am giving myself the best chance to succeed.

"It's probably just freed me up a bit. I'm not going to base if I failed or succeeded on a personal level just on my result, but how I went about it."

Pucovski's debut for Australia was then expected to come in late 2020 against India, but he suffered an ugly concussion in a warm-up match at Drummoyne Oval.

When his debut finally came later that summer he hurt his shoulder diving in the field and was ruled out of the remainder of the season.

There is no timeline on Pucovski's leave, with Victoria and Australia women's star Meg Lanning also currently on her own indefinite break from the sport.

with AAP

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