Will Pucovski leaves Test squad for mental health reasons
Australian prodigy Will Pucovski has been released from the Test squad and is on his way home after reporting challenges with his mental well-being.
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Australian prodigy Will Pucovski has been released from the Test squad and is on his way home after reporting challenges with his mental well-being.
Pucovski was picked in the Australian Test squad to face Sri Lanka but was left out of the XI for the first match in Brisbane and wasn’t picked in Canberra.
Cricket Australia released a statement on Friday night to confirm that Pucovski has been struggling in the days following Brisbane and a decision has been made for him to leave camp in Canberra and return to his family in Melbourne.
The reasons that have prompted Pucovski to leave camp have only been raised in recent days and had no influence on the surprise decision by Australia to not hand him his debut in Brisbane.
It’s understood Pucovski has stressed to Australian officials that he has a positive experience in camp and his decision to remove himself is more a reflection of his increased awareness around his mental health and how to best manage himself.
It’s hoped that Pucovski will be able to return to the field for Victoria in the coming weeks when the Shield competition resumes and that his decision to head home isn’t being seen as a step backwards.
Pucovski took a long break from the Sheffield Shield season this summer after struggling with a mental health issue that struck him during an innings for Victoria where he went on to make a double century.
Australian selector Trevor Hohns said thorough checks were made with Pucovski before calling him into the Test squad and steps were taken to best look after him once he came into the national fold.
Pucovski, who turns 21 on Saturday, has been praised by Cricket Australia staff for his courage in working through his issues.
“Will Pucovski has been released from the men’s Test squad and will return home to Melbourne to continue managing his wellbeing,” said Australian team doctor, Richard Saw.
“He reported some challenges over the past few days, and the decision has been made that the best thing for Will’s welfare is for him to return home to Melbourne.
“Will has been proactive in this process and while he has made significant progress, he feels this is the best course of action to get ready to play cricket for Victoria.
“He worked closely with members of his family, Cricket Australia medical staff and Cricket Victoria to reach his decision.
“Will’s decision to speak up and continue to ask for assistance in managing his ongoing mental health is extremely positive.
“Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria will continue to support Will, and we kindly ask that Will’s privacy is respected so he can continue working towards a return to Premier Cricket and the next round of First Class cricket.”
When Pucovski was picked for the Australian squad he opened up on the mental health episode he suffered in Perth, incredibly in the middle of the performance which put him on the radar for Australian selectors.
Pucovski was not out on 64 when he experienced a breakdown, yet bravely fought on the next day and made a double hundred.
“It was one of those things where what it looked like from the outside wasn’t quite matching up with what it was on the inside … I was more confused than at any other time in my life,” Pucovski told The Follow-On podcast.
“I was 64 not out overnight if I remember. I got to the game to have my pre-morning hit in the nets and pulled one of the coaches, Lachie Stevens, aside and said, ‘Look mate, this is what I’m going through. I don’t really understand what’s going on and don’t know why it’s happening but this is what’s happening’.
“It was quite a confronting thing but they were beyond awesome about it … They were just so supportive from the outset.
“I still remember Lachie putting his arm around me and saying, ‘Mate, I’m shattered for you and we will get you sorted when you’re back but if you can do anything to get us some runs today that would be great.’
“I replied: ‘Don’t worry mate. I will be ready to go and will try my very best.’ Obviously it turned out to be quite a good day.”
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