Youngster Will Pucovski helps build huge lead in Shield final

Will Pucovski has dominated on a rain-affected day at Junction Oval to all but put the Sheffield Shield final out of reach of NSW.

Will Pucovski of Victoria (right) reaches 50 with Peter Nevill of New South Wales looking on during day 3 of the JLT Sheffield Shield Final between Victoria and New South Wales at Junction Oval in Melbourne, Saturday, March 30, 2019. (AAP Image/Hamish Blair) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

A Sheffield Shield winner’s medal is the only ambition Will Pucovski has right now after a breakthrough summer in which the young Victorian batsman was just one decision away from a Test debut.

Named the Bradman young cricketer of the year, and included in the Australian Cricketer’s Association All-Star Shield team, Pucovksi rounded out his batting season with a crucial 51 as his team pushed the Shield final further away from NSW at the Junction Oval.

After a rain-interrupted third day the Vics finished at 7-207 with a lead of 375. NSW would have to produce a Shield final record-run chase to win in a match where runs for anyone other than Marcus Harris have been hard to come by.

Will Pucovski helped bat NSW out of the game on day three. Picture: Getty

Bowlers have dominated to such an extent on a “patchy” wicket that there have been 13 LBW decisions, the most ever in a Shield final.

With every wicket came talk of Ashes and Australia A call-ups too for the bowlers as conditions resembled those which will exist in England later this year, with grey skies and cold winds prevailing.

Pucovski though, who has also had a very public and ongoing mental health battle while accumulating 649 runs in seven games for the Vics, said he had given nothing beyond the final “a second thought” as he played in the biggest game of his short career.

“Regardless of if you are playing grade cricket or club cricket, it doesn’t matter. A final is a final,” he said.

“You have worked so hard to get there, you just want to give it everything you’ve got and leave it all out there.

“It’s been one of those things, two days out you don’t care how we do it, I just want to win. We are in a position where things are in our favour and hopefully we can capitalise on that.”

Pucovski was on the brink of making his Test debut. Picture: Getty

The 21-year-old, who was called up to the Test squad after just eight first-class games, said he was “absolutely” better for the experience of being around the national team.

But he has thrived even more after four straight Shield games leading in to his first ever final.

“I am still very inexperienced and have a lot to learn. Playing is the only thing that helps that,” he said.

“I still feel like a young up and comer, I don’t think getting picked in a Test squad changes that. Things fells my way, but playing more games continuously, back-to-back-to-back, feeling what it’s like to be a proper first class cricketer is the best thing for me.”

Cameron White combined with Pucovski for a valuable partnership. Picture: Getty

Pucovski also lauded veteran batsman Cameron White, who offered 36 to his team’s total in what could be the 35-year-old’s last innings for Victoria.

His state’s youngest ever captain, White is off contract at the end of this season, and no new deal had been offered to him before the final began.

“He’s been massive for me. He has really taken me under his wing since I first came in to the system and been a huge support off the field which has been massive,” Pucovski said.

“From my perspective, I hope it’s not his last innings. He’s a super player, and a super bloke as well.”

Originally published as Youngster Will Pucovski helps build huge lead in Shield final