‌Will Pucovski compelled to early retirement following repetitive concussions

9News of Australia reported that an independent panel of experts advised the young gun to give up professional cricket due to the recurring symptoms of concussion. The Victorian earned his debut cap against India during the infamous Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2021. He scored 62 and 10 in the third Test in Sydney, which was also his only time wearing the Baggy Green.

“My understanding is that an independent panel of experts recommended Pucovski retire three months ago, and all that’s left is for Cricket Victoria and his team to formalize that contractually,” said Tom Morris on 9news.

The young gun was struck 12 times on the head before Riley Meredith’s bumper in a Sheffield Shield game in March proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

Initially, he incurred a blow in a high school football match, followed by getting hit in the training nets and banging his head against the door at home. Subsequently, Pucovski suffered a blow to the head on his First Class debut in 2017, followed by three bumpers until 2018. In 2020, the young gun was struck after the bat got stuck in the turf and another blow followed in the Sydney Test against India the same year. In 2021, the right-handed batter was struck in the nets again before his courageous spirit was dented by a volleyball hit in February 2022 and two further blows in 2024.

“The news doesn’t come as a surprise to teammates of Pucovski who haven’t seen him at training all pre-season, in fact, he’s been traveling overseas,” added Morris.

In his 36 first-class matches, Pucovski racked up 2,350 runs at an impressive average of 45.19 with seven hundreds. His back-to-back centuries for Victoria at a ripe age remain one of his most cherished moments.