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Pucovski head-blow rocks Aussie Test prep

3 minute read

Will Pucovski's hopes of a Test debut have been dealt a serious blow after copping a ball to the head and retiring hurt in the Australia A tour match.

CAMERON GREEN of Western Australia bats during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at Gladys Elphick Park in Adelaide, Australia.
CAMERON GREEN of Western Australia bats during the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at Gladys Elphick Park in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Will Pucovski's hopes of a Test debut are in serious doubt after he copped a blow to the head in Australia A's drawn tour match against the Indians.

Pucovski, who has had eight concussions previously, was hit on the front of the helmet trying to pull a ball from paceman Kartik Tyagi.

He remained on the ground on his hands and knees for 90 seconds and was forced to retire hurt on 23, just nine days out from the first Test in Adelaide.

The 22-year-old looked dazed as he walked from the ground with Dr John Orchard beside him, but was not required to be taken to hospital.

Cricket Australia has already ruled him out of the three-day tour match at the SCG starting on Friday night, but no further call on his availability has been made for next week's Test.

"Will experienced mild concussion symptoms but was able to leave the field unassisted," Orchard said.

"He was monitored in our medical room and was communicating freely with staff and teammates as well as family over the phone.

"We will continue to monitor Will over the coming days and provide an update on his condition in due course.

"Will will remain with the Australia A squad but will not play in the three-day tour match against India at the SCG."

On a positive note, Pucovski looked happy as he walked out of the ground and onto the team bus just over an hour later chatting with teammates.

"It's not nice to see someone get hurt like that," quick Mark Steketee said.

"He's up, around, communicating cleanly.

"The doc's obviously going to keep an eye on him in over the next 24 hours. But he's in the changerooms and seems pretty well so far."

The young gun looked to be closing in on a debut after double centuries in both Sheffield Shield games for Victoria this summer.

The blow came at the worst possible time for him and Australia, with selectors dealt the tough task of creating new plans for next week's series opener.

David Warner remains in grave doubt and in a race against time to beat a groin injury, initially opening the door for incumbent Joe Burns and Pucovski to open.

Burns himself is in a poor run of form, bowled for a duck in Australia's brief 15-over second innings that finished at 1-52.

The Queenslander has passed 11 just once in seven innings this summer, with his average sitting at 8.71.

Marcus Harris, originally left out of the Test squad, is now almost certain to be added as cover on Wednesday.

He finished 25 not out in Tuesday's second innings, after starting the Shield season with a double century for Victoria.

Cameron Green also did his Test chances for a spot in the middle order no harm, taking two wickets on Tuesday to go with his unbeaten 125.

He removed openers Prithvi Shaw (19) and Shubman Gill (29) with his pace and bounce - both caught at point - to return figures of 2-12 from four overs.

The 21-year-old still faces a tough task to crack into Australia's Test team, with selectors keen to stick with incumbents.

Steketee meanwhile took 5-37 in India's second innings before they declared at 9-189 and set Australia A 131 from 15 overs.

Michael Neser claimed 2-41, including the prized scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara for a duck when he took his off stump with one that seamed back at him.

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