Aussie phenom Will Pucovski plunders Shield double-century to put Test selectors on notice

TIME looks to be the only thing standing between 20-year-old Victorian Will Pucovski and a Test debut after he struck a stunning Sheffield Shield double-century against Western Australia.

Will Pucovski salutes the crowd. Picture: AAP

TIME looks to be the only thing standing between Victorian phenom Will Pucovski and a Test debut after he struck a stunning Sheffield Shield double-century against Western Australia.

In just his fourth Shield match and only his seventh innings, Pucovski put the WA attack to the sword at the WACA Ground, reaching 202 not out by tea as the Vics powered to a 238-run lead in the opening match of the season.

Pucovski, 20, has been identified as the perfect candidate to carve out a Test career by National Performance Program head coach Troy Cooley, who said a call-up soon couldn’t be discounted if he kept churning out big scores.

Will Pucovski salutes the crowd. Picture: AAP

The runsfest in Perth came on the back of Pucovski’s 188 against Queensland at the MCG last summer in just his second Shield innings, and ­cemented his place as one of the brightest stars in Australian cricket.

“Everyone says you’re only two or three hundreds away (from national selection), but let’s give him a little bit of time,” Cooley said.

“You’re scoring runs and an opportunity comes available, that’s how our system sort of works.

“He’s been in the Victorian system for a number of years … if he continues to make a few more runs and an opportunity comes up, I think why not give someone an opportunity?

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“He’s being monitored and measured and we don’t put people up unless we think they’re capable.

“Age is not a limit, otherwise (India) wouldn’t have picked Sachin Tendulkar.”

In 2016, Australian selectors picked opener Matt Renshaw for a Test debut at 20, and Phillip Hughes was 21 when he played his first Test in 2009. Steve Smith and Ricky Ponting are other batsmen to have made their Test debuts at 21.

Pucovski made his debut for Victoria at 18 in February last year, making 28 before suffering a concussion while fielding that ruled him out for the season.

Will Pucovski powered to a double-century. Picture: Getty

It was one of seven concussions which derailed his early career after he set a run-scoring record at the nat­ional under-19 championships in 2016 with 650 runs, including four hundreds.

Limited by the effects of the head knocks, Pucovski didn’t return to Victoria’s line-up until late last Shield season.

But he made an immediate impact, powering to that 188 against Queensland.

At the tea break, Pucovski had carved out an impressive 425 runs in his first four Shield matches, including two big centuries.

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