Will Pucovski returns fire with masterful century to leave behind first ever Sheffield Shield duck

The burden of expectation hasn’t struck Victorian batting star Will Pucovski, who has continued his meteoric rise with a superbly compiled unbeaten Sheffield Shield hundred.

Will Pucovski has put aside his first innings duck for a memorable century in the second dig.

The burden of expectation hasn’t struck Victorian batting star Will Pucovski who continued his meteoric rise with another Sheffield Shield hundred at the Junction Oval on Thursday.

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It was his second century in a tumultuous summer which has included, in order, a star-making innings of 243, a break amid revelations of a mental health issue, elevation to the Test squad for the Sri Lankan then missing out on Test selection.

He then had another short break, leaving the second Test in Canberra to again try get on top of things off-field, before returning first for his club, then last week for the Vics against Queensland.

Pucovski, who turned 21 earlier this month, bounced back from a rare duck in the first innings against Tasmania, just his second in any cricket this summer, to pound an unbeaten 131 and help put his team in a near unbeatable position.

Will Pucovski hits out at Junction Oval on his way his second century of the season.

It was Pucovski’s third hundred in just 13 Shield innings, took his run haul to 726 and his average to 66.

His century was also achieved while he maintained “day to day” work on his mental health which requires daily chats with his mindfulness coach, meditation, and his cricket preparation on top.

But Pucovski, smiling at the end of a day which left Tasmania needing 450 runs to win, and the Vics 10 wickets, said he wasn’t worried about too much other than the “next ball, and the next day”.

Will Pucovski reaches his 100 against Tasmania. Picture: AAP

“I’m going well. It’s an ongoing process and we are dealing with it day by day but things are heading in the right direction. All’s good in that regard,” Pucovski said.

“I’m trying not to worry about (expectations). I was pretty fortunate to get in the Test squad, and you have to come back. But it’s still a bat and a ball at the end of the day. I just try and remember that as much as I can.

“I’ve sort of worked out that the more you try and take things in your stride and not worry too much about anything other than the next ball or the next day, it’s a better way to go.”

Will Pucovski smashes another boundary.

Will Pucovski in full flight on day three.

Pucovski has had no thoughts about the potential for him to be a part of the Australia A squad which will tour England before the Ashes, and hasn’t heard anything from selectors to that effect.

His focus is instead narrowed to winning games for the Vics, and continuing to work on his well-being.

“It’s a good test going four Shield games consecutively because you have to apply it over an extended period without much rest in between,” he said.

“It’s one of those on-the-go things I am trying to manage.”

Pucovski was also confident the Vics could find a way to take 10 wickets on the final day and secure a win which would put them in the box seat to host the final and all but guarantee a spot in a fourth decider in five years.

“We’ll back ourselves in to get 10. Hopefully the bowlers will come out and wreak a bit of havoc,” Pucovski said.