Australia batsman Will Pucovski, whose red-hot form in the Sheffield Shield put him on course for a Test debut, suffered a concussion after being struck on the helmet by pacer Kartik Tyagi in the warm-up game against India A here on Tuesday. He has been ruled out of the second tour game starting Friday.
Considered almost a sure-shot selection for the series-opener, beginning December 17 in Adelaide, with David Warner nursing an injury, Pucovski was batting on 23 when he was hit on the helmet by a delivery from Tyagi in the 13th over of Australia A’s second innings.
Pucovski has a history of concussion problems with some reports saying that he has suffered similar injuries as many as eight times. “Will experienced mild concussion symptoms but was able to leave the field unassisted,” team doctor John Orchard said in a statement posted by cricket.com.au.
“He was monitored in our medical room and was communicating freely with staff and teammates as well as family over the phone. Will will remain with the Australia A squad but will not play in the three-day tour match against India at the SCG,” he added.
Pucovski was hit on the front of his protective equipment and he fell to his knees, staying there for a few minutes before managing to walk off the field. The 22-year-old opener was immediately attended to by the medical team.
“He’s up, around, communicating clearly,” Australia A fast bowler Mark Steketee said after stumps. “The doc’s obviously going to keep an eye on him over the next 24 hours. But he’s in the changerooms and seems pretty well so far,” he added.