Victorian young gun Will Pucovski plunders sixth first-class century

Victorian young gun Will Pucovski has cemented his spot in Australia’s Test squad with another batting masterclass in the Sheffield Shield.

William Pucovski of Victoria.

Invincible Victorian Will Pucovski sealed Test squad selection with a masterpiece ton against Western Australia, as incumbent opener Joe Burns’ run drought continued in Adelaide.

Unbeaten Pucovski’s sixth first-class century (183) at Karen Rolton Oval followed an undefeated, career-best 255 against South Australia last week, as the race intensifies for Test spots in the final Sheffield Shield round before Australia faces India.

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Former Australian skipper Kim Hughes believes Pucovski should open with David Warner in the Test series against India starting in Adelaide next month. Queenslander Burns is averaging 11.5 across four innings with a top score of 29 this season.

“He seems to have got those mental challenges sorted out. I would pick Pucovski,” Hughes told ABC Grandstand.

“He is in a good space”.

Forced to cool his heels for two weeks in quarantine due to Victoria’s prolonged COVID-19 crisis, Pucovski has required just two knocks to cannon into first Test contention. Promoted to open by coach Chris Rogers this season, Pucovski leads the Shield run tally with 438 runs while Test batsman Travis Head is second on 418 at 83.

Haven't been able to watch a lot of Shield cricket over the last ten days - but holy moly, Will Pucovski sure is building a hell of a case for himself... https://t.co/QRT18m7yje

— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) November 8, 2020

Not putting Will Pucovski in the test side now is just not cricket.

I don't care that he's just 22. He's seeing it like a beach ball.

— Alexander Grant (@AlexGrantOz) November 8, 2020

Mark this name: Will Pucovski - Future Australia Test batsman! #AUSvIND https://t.co/IuZEYwQAWW

— Venkat Parthasarathy (@Venkrek) November 8, 2020

Pucovski took 22 balls to score then never looked back, exhibiting time in shot selection reserved for the game’s elite. Severe off his pads, Pucovski’s bevy of cuts and pulls left a WA attack, deprived of rested Ashton Agar, with no riposte as Victoria finished 1/322 on the opening day. Skipper Peter Handscomb (49) resumes a 136-run partnership with Pucovski having been dropped on 31 by Cam Bancroft at second slip off Cameron Gannon.

William Pucovski of Victoria.

The beauty of Pucovski for national selectors is an ability to bat anywhere in the top six as they compile an extended 17-man Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar series. Pucovski eluded the WA field striking 25 boundaries.

Marcus Harris (71) was again overshadowed despite posting an opening stand of 186 with Pucovski which was well short of their Sheffield Shield record stand of 486 against the Redbacks last round. Harris exited to a catch of the season contender from a flying, diving Sam Whiteman off Matt Kelly.

Uncapped prodigies – Pucovski and exciting all-rounder Cameron Green – were watched closely by chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns who was surrounded by an array of notebooks and a trusty computer. Green will be a “world class” all-rounder and should occupy a middle order slot at Matthew Wade’s expense says Hughes.

Green (0-15, eight overs), with 307 runs at 76 this season, has just resumed bowling from back stress fractures but was sharp and the pick of WA’s attack. Green’s effortless action delivered from a 200cm height troubled Harris in the first session. WA skipper Shaun Marsh would have bowled Green more if not for the 21-year-old’s bowling restriction.

BLUES CRUMBLE TO THIRD LOWEST SHIELD SCORE

Horror show for NSW.

Former Test seamers Jackson Bird and Peter Siddle consigned New South Wales to its third lowest Sheffield Shield total as the Tasmania Tigers dominated the opening day in Adelaide.

Bird (4/14) and Siddle (3/17) were unstoppable on a strip with true bounce and carry as the Blues were rolled for 44. Test spearhead Mitch Starc top scored with 18 in a 21-run stand with Sean Abbott (15) which highlighted a disappointing Blues effort.

NSW and Test spinner Nathan Lyon said his side’s capitulation had the hallmarks Nottingham’s 2015 Ashes Test when Australia folded for 60.

“It was a tough day against two experienced guys who have played a lot of Test cricket. It was a bit funny in the warm up I said to Mitch Starc it had a similar feeling to Trent Bridge 2015,” Lyon said.

The Tigers (4/149) take an 85-run first innings lead into day two after Australian one-day paceman Sean Abbott removed key duo Matt Wade (10) and Ben McDermott (18).

Jordan Silk (64) and nightwatchman Siddle (4) resume on day two where Starc (1-48) will be finetuning for battle against Virat Kohli’s India.

“We have seen if there is anything in this wicket it is in the first couple of hours so that is why we won the toss and bowled but we didn’t see that happening,” said Bird.

“It was a great team bowling performance. There was a bit more bounce, swing and seam and we got the ball in the right area. It was a great effort from our guys.”