Will Pucovski reacts after suffering a nasty blow on his head.© Twitter
Australian batter Will Pucovski suffered a nasty blow on his head and had to be substituted while playing for Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania on Sunday. The No. 3 batter retired hurt for 0 after being hit on his helmet from a Riley Meredith bouncer. It was just the second delivery he faced in Victoria’s chase of 442 in the second innings. The 26-year-old, who has experienced several blows to the head with the most recent being in a second XI match in January, was struck on the left side of his helmet after he turned his head to a rising delivery from Meredith.
The blow left him visibly disturbed as he kneeled on the pitch. The medical staff rushed to the centre. He eventually got up and slowly walked off the field, rubbing his eyes.
“Will is currently in the hands of our medical professionals,” a Cricket Victoria spokesperson said. “We’ll look to provide an update in due course.” Reserve batter Campbell Kellaway came in as a concussion substitute.
The social media reacted on the blow with some saying this is the 13th time he had to be substituted due to concussion.
My head hurts reading about Will Pucovski getting retired hurt after taking a blow on the head. This could be seriously detrimental to Pucovski later in his life. https://t.co/yYbh5076pH
— Prakhar Sachdeo (@simplyparu) March 3, 2024
Will Pucovski, again hit by a short ball. He’s gone off, retired hurt. Awful to see.
13th concussion for him now…
pic.twitter.com/W2iVNtwIBl— Cricket Nerd (@goodmen761) March 3, 2024
How many times has Will Pucovski been hit now? Is it getting to the point where someone needs to steps in & says it’s time? I understand you love the game and want to keep playing but your health, 100% comes first… scary to watch. Feel for him https://t.co/n7h8bWXckA
— Amanda Wellington (@amandajadew) March 3, 2024
Pucovski had returned after the blow in January to score 131 in their Shield match against New South Wales at the SCG last month.
He has also battled “mental health” issues in the past.
“The mental health has been a much bigger issue for me than even the concussions,” he told the Vic State Cricket podcast. “I don’t fear for my long-term health, it’s more the mental health side that’s been the tougher part.” The righthander has played one Test against India in January 2021.
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