‘Sensible’: Victoria pull Pucovski from second XI game after hit to the helmet

A day after Will Pucovski took a scary blow to the helmet he’s been subbed out of the match in Adelaide.

Victoria has pulled Will Pucovski out of its second XI game in Adelaide in a precautionary measure after he resumed his innings which had been disrupted by a head knock.

The 25-year-old was struck on the helmet while batting on Monday and retired hurt four balls later after reporting dizziness from running between the wickets.

He was taken for a concussion test and cleared to return to play, resuming his innings on 42 after the fall of three more wickets and eventually posting 89 as he batted for a lengthy period with centurion Jono Merlo.

Victorian head of male cricket David Hussey said it was a “sensible” call to withdraw Pucovski from the match after his innings to prepare him for Victoria’s first Sheffield Shield match after the Big Bash break on February 3.

“We were pleased with how Will performed in his knock of 89 and he did everything asked of him at the crease,” Hussey said.

Victorian batter Will Pucovski has been cleared to resume batting in Victoria’s 2nd XI game.

Pucovski passed a concussion test before batting in the nets where he was given the all clear to continue playing. He will be monitored through the day and the rest of the game. pic.twitter.com/xdhG1KYmBC

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) January 22, 2024

“After conversations with our medical staff and with Will’s history in mind, we have decided it would be sensible to substitute him out of this game to allow him time to prepare for our upcoming Shield game against South Australia which starts in 10 days.”

Under the Second XI competition rules, substitutions can be made for reasons other than concussion, with Victoria to fly in-form Footscray batter Dylan Brasher to Adelaide for the second innings.

Led by Merlo’s 111 and Pucovski’s 89, Victoria posted 291 before reducing the Redbacks to 9-185 just before tea on the second day.

Sam Elliott (3-32), Xavier Crone (3-46) and Cam McClure (2-36) did the damage as Jake Lehmann (43 off 35) and Kelvin Smith (48) failed to go on with strong starts.

Will Pucovski after taking a blow to the helmet batting for a Victorian second XI

The right-hander has suffered 10 previous concussions and taken a raft of breaks from cricket to address mental health issues since he made his Test debut against India in 2021.

“Pucovski passed a concussion test before batting in the nets where he was given the all-clear to continue playing,” a Cricket Victoria statement said on Monday afternoon.

“He will be monitored through the day and the rest of the game.”

Pucovski has only played red-ball cricket for Victoria this summer as he is managed carefully through his return to professional cricket.

During the Big Bash break he got engaged to longtime partner Emma Stonier.

He has also worked in commentary for Channel 7 and detailed his ongoing mental health and injury battles.

“It has been really tough, because you get a taste of it, you get a taste of the bug, and then, for one reason or another, you’re set back a little bit,” Pucovski said on Channel 7.

“It’s just the cards you’ve been dealt, and I’m just exploring different ways to make things work.”

Originally published as ‘Sensible’: Victoria pull Pucovski from second XI game after hit to the helmet