Australian batting prodigy Will Pucovski is set to feature in first-class cricket for the first time since October last year, after being named in the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad to face Western Australia on Wednesday.
The talented right-hander met Western Australia in October last year but then took a break due to personal reasons.
Pucovski has fought battles with concussion and mental health over several years and has also just recovered from a broken thumb, which he suffered while playing club cricket during the English summer.
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The 25-year-old has now been named in a 13-man squad for Victoria’s first Sheffield Shield fixture of the season, as the Bushrangers and Western Australia prepare for a rematch of the last two finals.
Victoria’s clash with WA at the WACA could also mark former Australian Test quick Peter Siddle’s first appearance for the Bushrangers since returning from his stint with Tasmania.
”We’re … thrilled to welcome Will Pucovski and Peter Siddle into the squad,” said David Hussey, Cricket Victoria’s head of male cricket.
“It is fantastic to have Peter travelling with the group following his return from Tasmania, while it is great to see Will back around the squad.”
When Pucovski accidentally kicked a volleyball into his face during a warm-up in February last year, the one-time Test opener suffered his 11th concussion.
Thirteen months earlier, his highly anticipated Test debut arrived when Australia faced India at the SCG in 2021, but a knock of 62 in the first innings was followed by a mishap in the field.
He dislocated his right shoulder while diving for the ball, an injury which required a shoulder reconstruction.
When veteran opener David Warner retires from Test cricket after January’s Sydney Test, as per the plan he revealed in June, Pucovski could return to the side and partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.
Former Test opener Marcus Harris will not take part in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match on Wednesday, with the 31-year-old staying home with his wife following the birth of their child last week.
Victorian squad
Will Sutherland (c), Peter Handscomb, Scott Boland, Travis Dean, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Jon Merlo, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Mitch Perry, Will Pucovski, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle
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