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Pucovski booked in for shoulder surgery

3 minute read

Will Pucovski, who suffered a shoulder injury during his Test debut at the SCG, has been booked in for surgery.

WILL PUCOVSKI of Victoria.
WILL PUCOVSKI of Victoria. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Will Pucovski's stop-start season is over after he was booked in for surgery to fix a persistent shoulder injury.

Pucovski impressed on Test debut at the SCG earlier this year, scoring 62 against India, then was an enforced omission for the series decider because of a partially-dislocated shoulder.

The 23-year-old, who would likely have received his baggy green at Adelaide Oval if not for an untimely concussion, initially decided to not go under the knife.

Pucovski, having been picked in Australia's touring party for the aborted series in South Africa, spent a month trying to rest and recover but remains bothered by the painful injury.

The young gun is expected to need six months to fully recover from the operation, meaning he should be fit for next summer's much-anticipated Ashes series.

But Pucovski will be unavailable for this year's Test championship final at Lord's, should Australia qualify.

The right-hander tried to bat in the nets last week, wanting to prove his fitness for Victoria's Sheffield Shield clash with NSW, when it became clear he still wasn't ready to play.

Specialist Greg Hoy, who has previously operated on the shoulders of Shane Warne and former AFL star Chris Judd, will perform the surgery next week in Melbourne.

Pucovski consulted Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria medicos plus Australia's former team doctor Trefor James.

Victoria coach Chris Rogers admitted last week Pucovski's shoulder was still "quite sore" and "hasn't responded to rehab as well as he would have liked".

"It's hard when you're playing not at 100 per cent. You start to think that's how you are going to play for the rest of your career," Rogers said.

Pucovski was close to making his Test debut for Australia during the past two summers, only to take a break to focus on his mental health.

The prodigy has also battled back from multiple concussions in recent years.

Pucovski was promoted to open for Victoria at the start of this season before booking his spot in the Test squad by becoming just the eighth batsman to record double-tons in consecutive Shield games.

However, Pucovski's Test debut was delayed by a nasty bouncer blow in a tour match against India.

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