Will Pucovski could take an “extended period” away from cricket to get his health in order and still have enough time to forge a long Test career, according to Mark Taylor.
The embattled batter made his 13-month return to professional cricket last week, striding out for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield a year after a shoulder injury cruelled his Australian Test debut.
But on Saturday morning Pucovski was forced to withdraw from the match after being concussed by accidentally kicking a soccer ball into his own head during warm-up with teammates.
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It’s the 11th time the 24-year-old has been concussed, and it’s an ongoing issue that now threatens to end his cricket career before it’s properly taken off.
He missed the entire Test summer after being concussed in pre-season, and has now suffered another concussion only two days into his return.
The latest incident prompted calls for Pucovski to retire immediately, in order to safeguard his future health.
“I’m very reluctant to rule anyone out at the age of 24,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports today.
“Obviously he has a higher susceptibility to these types of injuries, that’s fairly logical. But I’m certainly no expert on it so I don’t know what can and can’t be done.
“With the talent he’s got – he can certainly play – the age of 24 is too early to rule him out.
“It might be that he needs an extended period (away) and some sort of rehab program. I’m sure he is working with the experts to work out what that might look like.”
While Saturday’s incident was different, many of Pucovski’s concussions have come directly from being hit by a cricket ball.
Having watched Pucovski play, Taylor believes the young batter does need to adjust his technique when facing short-pitched bowling.
“I think he’s got work to do on the short ball, for sure,” Taylor said.
“This is his 11th concussion, but not all of them have been from short-pitched deliveries. But a number of them have.
“I think he’s got more work to do on the short ball, and it probably goes in conjunction with his rehab from this type of injury, if there is a rehab.
“He’s got potentially 12 or 14 years ahead of him in cricket.”
It’s been suggested Pucovski’s struggles against the short ball may be a mental issue as much as a technical flaw.
To be hit in the helmet by a ball travelling upwards of 130km/h is sure to make any sane person wince slightly at the next delivery, potentially changing the way a batter would approach the game.
Taylor believes Pucovski’s technique should be fixed by a cricket coach first, and hopefully the mental improvement will follow.
“I think the technical side would probably come first,” he said.
“A lot of players these days, there’s no doubt the techniques have changed. Players are looking to get forward much more than they used to
“With the advent of helmets and all sorts of guards these days, in a way it took the fear factor out of playing the short ball.
“It’s a good thing, but it does mean players are putting their heads in positions they never used to.
“You’ve still got to maintain your physical health when you’re out there playing, even though you’ve got a fair bit of protection on.
“I’d be getting the technique right. And then if that is right and he’s comfortable with it, I think the mental side will come along with it.”
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