WORTH THE WAIT FOR WILL
YOUNG GUN FIRES ON DEBUT
AUSTRALIA’S malfunctioning batting line-up might have found its man of the future, as Will Pucovski declared his golden Test debut in Sydney meant “everything”.
Pucovski revealed his desire to finally claim his baggy green this week after three previous false starts crystallised after hearing from a neurosurgeon that his life after cricket isn’t likely to be affected, even if he was to be hit in the head again.
The 22-year-old admitted the past month had been a “rollercoaster” after the ninth concussion of his short career ended his hopes of debuting in the first Test.
Two years ago, Pucovski was unsure whether he even wanted to continue playing the game following his turbulent setbacks with concussion and mental health. But on Thursday in front of a maskwearing crowd of 8692, Australia instantly realised that Pucovski was worth the wait.
For Pucovski, it was everything he always wanted and more.
“It was a pretty incredible experience. It’s meant everything to me, to be honest,” he said at stumps.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of hard yards on and off the field, hopeful that this day would come and it was a very special day.
“It’s been quite surreal. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, getting hit about a month ago.
“I’ve been to millions of different doctors it feels like, trying to get a bit of clarity and a bit of an answer as to what the go was going forward. It was one of those days where I was just absolutely loving it. It was probably my favourite day of cricket to date.”
Pucovski and last summer’s breakout star Marnus Labuschagne (67 not out) combined for Australia’s first century partnership of the series to prove that, together, they’re the present and future of the batting engine room.
Last week’s batting calamities in Melbourne were soothed by a revamped Australian batting order that played with noticeably more intent and aggression than they did in the embarrassing Boxing Day Test loss to finish a rain-interrupted day one at the SCG solidly placed at 2-166.
Pucovski’s dream ended on 62, but a star was born — free of some of the stresses that have gripped him in recent years after seeing a neurologist on Monday.
Steve Smith (31 not out) was hyperactive when he first came to the wicket but soon started to look more like himself as he took the attack to the Indian bowlers.