Will Pucovski suffers yet another head knock as horror luck continues

Will Pucovski is one of Australian cricket’s brightest rising stars but the batting prodigy is in doubt for the Ashes after a cruel blow.

TOPSHOT - Australia's Will Pucovski plays a shot during the first day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)in Sydney on January 7, 2021. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Batting prodigy Will Pucovski has suffered his 10th head knock, casting doubt over whether he will play in the Ashes and his long-term cricketing career.

As first reported by The Australian, the 23-year-old was hit in the head by a cricket ball during a training session with the Victorian side last week.

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Pucovski’s short career so far has been riddled by concussion issues, stemming from a head knock suffered during a game of Aussie rules football in high school, which sidelined him for six months.

This latest incident continues a horror run of luck for Pucovski, who has previously been concussed by a ball that came through a gap in another practice net and has also hit his head on a door knob.

Cricket Victoria confirmed Pucovski’s latest setback in a statement on Thursday.

“Cricket Victoria confirms Will Pucovski received a knock to the head in training with Victoria last Tuesday,” the statement said.

“Will is currently managing his recovery in consultation with CV’s medical staff.

“He looks forward to returning to training as soon as he is able to do so.”

Australia's Will Pucovski just can’t take a trick at the moment. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Pucovski had long been earmarked as Australia’s next batting sensation but his Test debut was delayed after he was surprisingly overlooked for a tour to Sri Lanka in 2019 and ruled himself out of selection the following summer due to mental health concerns.

The opener finally played his first Test match for Australia early this year, scoring 62 and 10 against India at the SCG.

Pucovski badly injured his shoulder while fielding in that match and was ruled out of the last match of the series. It remains the only match he has played for Australia.

He later had serious shoulder surgery and was still recovering from it, but just last month he was hopeful he would be fit in time for the Ashes.

“It’s recovering as quickly as it can, which is good,” Pucovski told cricket.com.au.

Will Pucovski was on the comeback trail after injuring his shoulder. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“I’ve been batting pretty much about 90 per cent in the nets, which has been really good. So it’s been fun to get back into it.

“There’s just a few little things to tick off, but everything’s going in the right direction, which is really nice.”

Pucovski hadn’t yet played any cricket for Victoria this season but his state coach Chris Rogers had been confident he would be back up and going soon.

“He’s going really well, he had a nice net yesterday and is due to have a hit with us in the nets today,” Rogers said last week.

“He’s tracking really well.”

This most recent head knock is serious cause for concern and casts serious major doubts over the potential longevity of Pucovski’s cricketing career.

In his absence, fellow Victorian Marcus Harris looms as the most likely option to partner David Warner at the top of the order against England this summer.