Will Pucovski has been subbed out of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia after suffering another concussion in his comeback match.
Playing in his first match after an extended break, Pucovski did not join Marcus Harris at the top of Victoria’s order for its second innings after an incident during the warm-up prior to Day 4.
The 24-year-old was substituted out of the match and has been replaced by Travis Dean.
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The concussion is understood to be the 11th the right-hander has suffered in his young cricket career.
It is a shattering blow to Pucovski, who was making his first appearance since his Test debut against India during last year’s New Year’s Test.
After his Test debut had been delayed due to concussions, Pucovski showed glimpses of his immense talent with a half-century against India before a shoulder injury put his career on hold yet again.
He’d hoped to make his return for Australia’s Ashes campaign this summer before yet another concussion setback that left former Test skipper Tim Paine “shattered”.
Despite over 12 months away from the cricket field, Pucovski showed little sign of any rust in Victoria’s first innings, scoring 54 in a 110-run stand with Harris for the opening wicket.
Pucovski had previously voiced his intention to return to the international fold during Australia’s upcoming tour of Pakistan, but was left out of the 18-man squad earlier this week.