Another blow to head for Pucovski

WILL Pucovski has been hit in the head again by a cricket ball and is showing signs of concussion almost a week later.

It is estimated to be the 10th time the brilliant young opener has been concussed in his short career and will trigger further concerns about his long-term health and future in the game.

It is also a blow to Australian cricket which had earmarked the 23-year-old as David Warner’s opening partner for the Ashes after waiting patiently for him to be ready to play at that level.

The Victorian (pictured) is rated a once-in-a-generation talent, he averages over 50 at first-class cricket, has an insatiable appetite for runs and a temperament that has always been wise beyond his years.

He played his one and only Test against India in January in Sydney, scoring 62 in his first innings and 10 in his second. Pucovski injured his shoulder diving in the field and was ruled out of the final match of the series. He later underwent shoulder surgery from which he is still recovering.

While he struggles to throw, selectors and coaches were keen to get him back in the side and had discussed ways of compensating for this fielding weakness.

Marcus Harris’ chances of opening the batting with Warner in the opening Test against England at the Gabba have improved greatly but there is optimism that the batsman will return before then.

Concerns about Pucovski, who was set to play in a series of three Sheffield Shield matches against NSW, will linger however.

The opener was taking throwdowns in the nets last week when he was struck but the blow did not seem to have any great effect.

It wasn’t until the following day that symptoms began to emerge. It is understood he is resting and being treated for the symptoms.

Sources said he is in good spirits and keen to return to training, but patience is something Pucovski and cricket have become accustomed to.

His talent was obvious from an early age and when he was around 10, Ricky Ponting was asked to cast his eye over the young cricketer in the nets and “thought he might be something special one day”.

The impressive young talent was set to open that batting in the series against Sri Lanka in January 2019 but a last-minute change of heart from selectors saw Kurtis Patterson dropped into the side.

He was in line to debut the next summer but withdrew from selection, citing mental health problems.