Australia release Will Pucovski from Test squad due to mental health issues

Young Victoria cricketer Will Pucovski got his maiden call for national duty in the ongoing two-Test series versus Sri Lanka. However, the 20-year-old has been released from the squad without making his international debut and will return to Melbourne to manage his mental health. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed this in a press release. The batsman has been playing first-class cricket for two years now and has scored over 500 runs in eight matches with two hundreds.

Pucovski did not get to play the first Test in Brisbane which Australia won by an innings and 40 runs and was not picked for the second game that started in Canberra on Friday. He reported some challenges over the past few days and the team management decided to release him so that he can look after himself.

“He reported some challenges over the past few days, and the decision has been made that the best thing for Will’s welfare is for him to return home to Melbourne. Will has been proactive in this process and while he has made significant progress, he feels this is the best course of action to get ready to play cricket for Victoria,” CA Doctor, Richard Saw said, according to Cricbuzz report.

Pucovski pulled out of domestic cricket because of his illness

His exclusion from the Test squad took place after his withdrawal from the Victoria team in Sheffield Shield at the start of the season and that too soon after hitting 243 against Western Australia in Perth. He worked with several experts in the subsequent weeks and played only more game, against Western Australia again, before getting a call for the national squad. He played in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka for CA XI in which he scored 23 and 33 not out.

Pucovski reportedly has a history of suffering from concussions. He has been hit on the head on a number of occasions since his debut game in February 2017. Last year in March too, he was hit on the head by pacer Sean Abbott and was carried off the field.

Saw said both CA and Cricket Victoria will support Pucovski and appealed to all to respect his privacy.

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