HARRIS IN BOX SEAT TO SECURE TEST SPOT
TEST captain Tim Paine has nominated Marcus Harris to possibly get an “extended run” as David Warner’s opening partner in the wake of young gun Will Pucovski’s latest concussion.
After revealing Pucovski was battling the after effects of a 10th concussion, suffered last week in a net session, Victorian officials said the 23-year-old would return to training “as soon as he’s able to”.
Paine, who has formed a close bond with Pucovski during his time with the Test squad, they also share the same manager, said he was “devastated” upon hearing of the young star’s latest concussion. The Test skipper said there was “no doubt” Pucovski would have opened the batting with Warner in this summer’s Ashes.
But while he was hopeful the young star could be back sooner rather than later, Paine suggested Pucovski’s Victorian teammate Harris, who has played 10 Tests, was the “front-runner” to open when the Ashes starts in Brisbane on December 8.
“He’s probably the front-runner now for that role. He’s someone who hasn’t had an extended run at Test cricket,” Paine said.
“For him to get potentially now get an extended run at Test cricket, I’m excited to potentially see what he could do.”
Paine, who is on the recovery path from his own neck surgery, has spoken to Pucovski who was hit last Tuesday, October 5, and is still experiencing symptoms.
He was set to do some media interviews earlier this week, but they were postponed as he continued to recover.
The Test captain said the latest knock was not as bad as some of the others Pucovski had sustained, but was “shattering” nonetheless.
“He’s still hoping to be ready at some stage this summer,” Paine told SEN Hobart.
“He’s got plenty of support around him, and we know how good he is, so there’s no need to rush him at the moment.
“He’s 22-23 years of age, he’s got a lot of time in the game if we can get it right.
“Shattering when I found out. I’ve spoken to him a bit the last few days. He is improving slowly.
“I don’t think it’s as bad as some of the others he’s had before, but with his history we have to be very careful. I was devastated to hear it’s happened again.”
There are some suggestions Pucovski could yet recover in time to take part in Victoria’s opening Sheffield Shield game against NSW, which is set to take place later this month.
Paine dismissed any suggestions Pucovski had an issue with the short ball, and said his history meant he was just more susceptible to any hits.