Cricket Victoria has left the door ajar for rising star Will Pucovski to play in the opening Test of the Ashes series, despite state coach Chris Rogers admitting yesterday it was “unlikely”.
CV has released an update on the 23-year-old’s recovery from his latest concussion, confirming Pucovski won’t play this week’s Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales, but CV’s general manager of cricket performance Shaun Graf remains hopeful the batter can play two matches before the first Ashes Test “to allow Australian selectors to make a judgement.”
Rogers said yesterday that Pucovski’s delayed return would almost certainly mean he’d be unavailable for the Brisbane Test on December 8.
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“No doubt it’s a setback. I’d say now it’s unlikely he’d play in the first Test,” he said.
The right-hander, who made his Test debut against India last summer, would be favourite to partner David Warner at the top of the order if he’s fit.
He hasn’t played since his only Test in Sydney in January, where he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. He was concussed last month after being hit in the nets.
Following yesterday’s gloomy prognosis from Rogers, today’s update provides a glimmer of hope.
“In good news, Will was back at Victorian training yesterday at the MCG,” Graf said in a statement.
“It is great to have him back in the squad, even if only on light duties. That said, he won’t be available for selection for the Shield match starting at the MCG on Friday.
“In terms of his return to play, we are working towards a couple of scenarios. We’re currently in conversations with Cricket Australia regarding another Shield match in mid-November plus we’ll also be hosting a state 2nd XI match at the MCG later in the month.
“Ideally, he’d be able to play those two four-day matches and allow Australian selectors to make a judgment from there.”
Even if Pucovski misses the Brisbane Test, the possibility remains he could be added to the Australian squad for the Adelaide match, starting on December 16, with CV’s doctor Trefor James conceding Pucovski hasn’t yet made a full recovery.
“Will is continuing to experience some mild symptoms consistent with concussion,” he said.
“From a medical perspective, Will is very well supported by the team around him to help manage his recovery. Given his history, it’s obviously important that we allow whatever is time is required to make a full recovery.”
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