Vics hoping Pucovski can return in star-studded Shield clash

TEST opener Will Pucovski has been picked in Victoria’s squad for a Sheffield Shield return next week but is no guarantee to play, as he continues to battle a lingering issue with his shoulder.

Pucovski, who made his Test debut against India in January, avoided surgery after partially dislocating his right shoulder while fielding in the match at the SCG.

He couldn’t play the dramatic Border-Gavaskar series finale in Brisbane and has been receiving cortisone injections in order to try to play for Victoria when the Shield resumes next week.

Pucovski will be given “every chance” to play against NSW in a match that will feature a bevy of Test stars who are available after the postponement of the Test tour of South Africa.

“The busy back half of the season has enabled us to provide opportunities for a number of players across both competitions,” Cricket Victoria chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch said. “The availability of the Australian Test squad is a boost for the domestic season.

“Marcus Harris was in great form for Victoria earlier in the season and James Pattinson has fully recovered from a rib injury, so we’re looking forward to him leading our attack.

“We’re continuing to monitor Will Pucovski in his recovery from his shoulder injury.

“He’ll be given every chance to play in the Shield match,.”

The Vics have named a bunch of Big Bash performers in the squad for Monday’s oneday clash with NSW, before the Shield game.

Mackenzie Harvey, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Zak Evans are all in the 12-man squad, with both Victorian teams to be captained by Peter Handscomb.

Victoria will play a NSW outfit being captained by Aussie star Pat Cummins for the first time, with Test stars Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon also in the line-up.