Victorian young gun Will Pucovski on brink of call-up to Australian Test squad

Will Pucovski has started his summer in style and national coach Justin Langer has taken notice. And the Victorian reminds the Aussie mentor of another young gun.

Justin Langer has hinted Victorian wunderkind Will Pucovski is again on the verge of a coveted Test debut with the Australian coach declaring the young gun “well and truly” in selectors’ thoughts.

Pucovski has started his summer in style with a hundred in the Vics’ Sheffield Shield opener against SA, followed by an impressive 64 against WA.

And Langer has kept a close eye on the 21-year-old’s form.

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Will Pucovski carves one through the off side against WA. Pic: AAP

The national coach is in Adelaide preparing for his Twenty20 side’s summer opener — against Sri Lanka on Sunday — but is also casting his mind towards summer Test series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

And Pucovski is among those putting his hand up.

“Tom Cooper’s got two hundreds, Shaun Marsh has got two hundreds ... I just love seeing guys making runs,” Langer told SEN.

“I think Will Pucovski scored a hundred, I watched him bat the other day and he’s got so much time (when he bats).

“I really liked the look of him.”

Pucovski, who has batted at no.3 for Victoria in the longer form so far this summer, would likely move further down the order should he earn a call-up.

Langer said his rise reminded him of another former batting prodigy.

“It’s a bit like a young Phil Hughes, all the youngsters that come in there’s a great story about them, isn’t there?” Langer said.

“Phil Hughes, years ago, was the kid from the bush, the kid who loved his bulls and made lots of runs. There was this great story and this great narrative.

Pucovski with Pat Cummins after the Aussies’ first test win over Sri Lanka last summer. Pic: Getty Images

“I think there’s a similar one about Will Pucovski.

“He’s young, he’s making lots of runs, he averages 50 in domestic first-class cricket, he’s had his struggles and he just keeps coming up with a smile on his face.

“There’s a real good narrative about him as well and if he keeps making runs like he is and batting like he is (he’s giving himself every chance).”

Pucovski tasted the national set up last summer. He was named in the Test squad to face Sri Lanka and looked poised to make his debut before leaving to deal with a mental health issue.

Now back playing, his name is among those at the front of the queue as Langer looks to “cement a top three” and blood fresh talent.

“All I know is that in my dealings with him and hearing his stories from the Australian A (Tour) but more importantly coming out of Victoria, the people love how he goes about his business,” Langer said.

“They love the way he makes his runs, so he’s certainly well and truly in the discussion, no doubt.”

Originally published as Victorian young gun Will Pucovski on brink of call-up to Australian Test squad