Will Pucovski
{{short description|Australian cricketer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Will Pucovski
| image =
| fullname = William Jan Pucovski
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|02|02|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Malvern, Victoria, Australia
| heightcm = 179
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm off break
| role = Top-order batter
| country = Australia
| international = true
| onetest = true
| testdebutdate = 7 January
| testdebutyear = 2021
| testdebutagainst = India
| testcap = 460
| lasttestdate =
| lasttestyear =
| lasttestagainst =
| club1 = Victoria
| year1 = {{nowrap|2016/17–2023/24}}
| clubnumber1 = 10
| hidedeliveries = true
| columns = 3
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 1
| runs1 = 72
| bat avg1 = 36.00
| 100s/50s1 = 0/1
| top score1 = 62
| catches/stumpings1 = 0/–
| column2 = FC
| matches2 = 36
| runs2 = 2,350
| bat avg2 = 45.19
| 100s/50s2 = 7/9
| top score2 = 255*
| catches/stumpings2 = 18/–
| column3 = LA
| matches3 = 14
| runs3 = 333
| bat avg3 = 27.75
| 100s/50s3 = 1/2
| top score3 = 137
| catches/stumpings3 = 6/–
| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/will-pucovski-772365 ESPNcricinfo
| date = 10 April
| year = 2025
}}
William Jan Pucovski (born 2 February 1998) is an Australian former cricketer.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/772365.html |title=Will Pucovski |access-date=10 January 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} He made his List A debut for Cricket Australia XI against Pakistan during their tour of Australia on 10 January 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1076716.html |title=Pakistan tour of Australia, Tour Match: Cricket Australia XI v Pakistanis at Brisbane, Jan 10, 2017 |access-date=10 January 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} He made his first-class debut for Victoria in the 2016–17 Sheffield Shield season on 1 February 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1036401.html |title=Sheffield Shield, 16th Match: Victoria v New South Wales at Melbourne, Feb 1-4, 2017 |access-date=1 February 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}
He played one Test match as the 460th cap for Australia, scoring a half-century 62 in his debut innings in 2021 against India and 10 in the second, before he suffered a shoulder injury whilst fielding that prevented further Test appearances. He suffered from at least 13 known concussion injuries during his career along with mental health issues, and retired at age 27 in 2025.{{Cite news |last=Snape |first=Jack |date=2025-04-08 |title=Former Test opener Will Pucovski retires from cricket at 27 due to concussions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/08/will-pucovski-retires-cricket-concussion |access-date=2025-04-08 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
Early life
Pucovski was born in Malvern, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. His father, Ján Pucovski, who emigrated to Australia as a child from Serbia, has Czechoslovakian roots.{{cite web |title=Will Pucovski is on the cusp of great things |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/18349416/adam-collins-meets-18-year-old-talented-mature-batsman-pucovski |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=10 January 2019}} Ján also played cricket, as a fast bowler, and was regarded as a "Caulfield legend".{{cite web |title=Australia fast-track batting prodigy Will Pucovski included in Test squad for Sri Lanka series |date=10 January 2019 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/australia-fast-track-batting-prodigy-will-pucovski-to-test-side-for-sri-lanka-series-5531011/ |publisher=Indian Express |access-date=10 January 2019}}
Pucovski completed school at Brighton Grammar School in 2015, and was captain of the school's First XI and a school prefect.{{cite web|url=https://www.brightongrammar.vic.edu.au/member/william-pucovski/ |title=William Pucovski |work=Brighton Grammar School |access-date=9 November 2020}} He was awarded the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal ceremony by Cricket Australia in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/about/awards-and-events/australian-cricket-awards |title=Australian Cricket Awards |work=Cricket Australia |access-date=9 November 2020}}
Cricket career
In the 2016-17 Under 19 National Championships, Pucovski scored four consecutive hundreds on his way to being named Player of the Championship and totalling 650 runs from eight innings, breaking the long-standing runs record held by Queensland's Jerry Cassel (568) since 1993–94.{{cite web |last1=Duxson |first1=Nick |title=Pucovski named Player of the U19 Champs |url=http://www.nationalchamps.com.au/pageitem.aspx?id=137745&id2=1&eID=17240&entityID=17240 |website=Underage National Championships |access-date=16 December 2016}}
In March 2018, he suffered a second concussion from bouncers in two years, the second of which was bowled by Sean Abbott. Pucovski was well enough to walk off the field unaided.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/will-pucovski-hit-helmet-sean-abott-bowler-victoria-nsw-blues-substitution/2018-03-04|title=Pucovski subbed out with fresh concussion|work=cricket.com.au|access-date=5 March 2018}} In October 2018, he became only the second player representing Victoria in the Sheffield Shield, after Dean Jones, to hit a double century against the Western Australia cricket team at the WACA.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/sheffield-shield-victorian-young-gun-will-pucovski-dominates-wa-bowlers-ng-b88993927z.amp|title=Young gun Pucovski doubles up at WACA|date=17 October 2018|publisher=The West Australian|access-date=17 October 2018}} Totalling 243 not out, Pucovski became just the ninth player in Sheffield Shield history to score a double-century before his 21st birthday.{{Cite web|title=Pucovski joins Bradman in elite club|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/will-pucovski-243-elite-club-youngest-sheffield-shield-bradman-ponting-chappell-walters-highlights/2018-10-18|access-date=9 November 2020|work=Cricket Australia}} However, later the same month, he announced he would be taking a break from cricket due to a mental health-related illness.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25086602/young-victoria-batsman-pucovski-take-indefinite-break-game |title=Young Victoria batsman Will Pucovski to take indefinite break from the game |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=26 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/970140 |title=Who is Will Pucovski? |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=9 January 2019}}
In January 2019, he was named in Australia's Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1171096.html |title=Will Pucovski earns Australia call-up as Marshes and Handscomb dropped |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=9 January 2019 |access-date=9 January 2019}} After being named in the squad for the Test series, Pucovski said that it's every kid's dream to play for their country, and that getting that opportunity was "just amazing".{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25718927/will-pucovski-digests-whirlwind-test-call-up |title=Will Pucovski digests whirlwind Test call-up |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=9 January 2019}} However, he was not selected to play in either match during the series, and was released from the squad at the start of the Canberra Test, allowing him to continue to work on his mental health.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25898777/will-pucovski-opts-australia-squad-work-mental-health-issues |title=Pucovski opts out of Australia squad to work on mental health issues |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=1 February 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/47088388 |title=Australia release Will Pucovski from squad for mental health reasons |work=BBC Sport |access-date=1 February 2019}}
Ahead of the 2019–20 Marsh One-Day Cup, Pucovski was named as one of the six cricketers to watch during the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27647748/six-players-watch-marsh-one-day-cup |title=Six players to watch in the Marsh One-Day Cup |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=19 September 2019}} In October 2020, in the third round of the 2020–21 Sheffield Shield season, Pucovski and Marcus Harris scored 486 runs for the first wicket in the match against South Australia, setting a new partnership record in the Sheffield Shield.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/marcus-harris-will-pucovski-record-breaking-opening-partnership-486-victoria-sheffield-shield/2020-11-01 |title=Nervous moments as Vic pair rewrite records |work=Cricket Australia |access-date=1 November 2020}} Pucovski finished his innings on 255 not out, his highest score in first-class cricket.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30232230/marcus-harris-pucovski-set-new-sheffield-shield-record-486-run-stand |title=Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski set new Sheffield Shield record with 486-run stand |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=1 November 2020}} The following match, he scored 202 runs in the first innings, becoming the first batsman since Dene Hills in the 1997–98 season to score consecutive double-hundreds in the Sheffield Shield.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30284517/sheffield-shield-2020-21-pucovski-focusing-batting-bubble,-not-potential-australia-call-up |title=Will Pucovski focusing on his 'batting bubble', not potential Australia call-up |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=9 November 2020 |access-date=9 November 2020}}
In November 2020, Pucovski was named in Australia's Test squad for their series against India.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/australia-test-squad-selections-india-series-green-pucovski-abbott-burns-tour-games/2020-11-12 |title=Pucovski, Green headline Test and Australia A squads |work=Cricket Australia |access-date=12 November 2020}} Pucovski suffered another concussion playing for Australia A in December 2020,{{Cite web|title=Australia Test hopeful Pucovski concussed by helmet blow|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/australia-test-hopeful-pucovski-concussed-094439341.html|access-date=3 January 2021|website=au.sports.yahoo.com|language=en-AU}} bringing the total to nine concussions before playing a single game for Australia.{{Cite web|date=8 December 2020|title=Puc ruled out of Tour match|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/australian-cricket-team/australian-young-gun-will-pucovski-hit-in-the-head-in-doubt-for-series-against-india-ng-b881742799z|access-date=3 January 2021|website=PerthNow|language=en}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55571309 |title=Australia v India: Will Pucovski's journey to 62 on Test debut |work=BBC Sport |access-date=9 January 2021}} He made his Test debut for Australia on 7 January 2021, against India, scoring 62 in his maiden Test innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1223871.html |title=3rd Test, Sydney, Jan 7 - Jan 11 2021, India tour of Australia |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=7 January 2021}} Pucovski had his baggy green cap presented to him by Andrew McDonald.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/why-pucovski-s-family-missed-batsman-s-cap-presentation-20210107-p56sgf.html |title=Why Pucovski's family missed batsman's cap presentation |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=7 January 2021 |access-date=7 January 2021}} However, during his debut, Pucovski suffered an injury to his shoulder that required reconstruction surgery which ruled him out of playing for six months.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sheffield-shield-2020-21-will-pucovski-to-have-shoulder-reconstruction-and-will-miss-six-months-1252145 |title=Will Pucovski to have shoulder reconstruction and will miss six months |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=18 February 2021}} In February 2022, during the 2021–22 Sheffield Shield season, Pucovski suffered another concussion, the eleventh one of his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/will-pucovski-subbed-out-of-sheffield-shield-clash-with-another-concussion-1300798 |title=Will Pucovski subbed out of Shield clash with another concussion |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=12 February 2022}} In October 2022, Pucovski announced that he would be taking an indefinite leave from cricket.{{cite news |title=Australian rising star Will Pucovski to take another period of indefinite leave, Cricket Victoria confirms |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-27/will-pucovski-to-take-another-period-of-indefinite-leave-cricket/101585840 |newspaper=ABC News |date=27 October 2022 |access-date=27 December 2022}}
After a year out of the game, Pucovski made his long-awaited return to play domestic cricket for Victoria in the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield. Pucovski played his first five matches of the season without an issue, before being struck on the head in a Second XI match against South Australia on 22 January 2024.{{cite web|title=Pucovski out of Shield match due to concussion symptoms|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/3876183/will-pucovski-out-of-sheffield-shield-match-due-to-delayed-concussion-symptoms-victoria|publisher=Cricket.com.au|date=2 February 2024}} Despite initially being cleared of concussion, delayed concussion symptoms ruled him out for the next Sheffield Shield match, but he made a comparatively quick return compared to previous concussions, missing only the one match and returning a couple of weeks later to face New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.{{cite web|title=Pucovski cleared to return after latest concussion|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sheffield-shield-2023-24-will-pucovski-cleared-to-return-after-latest-concussion-1421201|publisher=ESPNCricinfo|date=15 February 2024}} Pucovski made a century in the match, his first since 2020 given all the interruptions his career had faced.{{cite web|title=Pucovski ends century drought as Vics eye top spot|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/3901339/nsw-victoria-day-three-sheffield-shield-scg-report-scores-highlights-maddinson-pucovski-handscomb-lyon|publisher=Cricket.com.au|date=18 February 2024}} That, however, turned out to be the second last match of his cricket career, as the following match he was struck on the head by a short ball from Riley Meredith against Tasmania,{{cite web|title=Pucovski retires hurt after being struck by bouncer|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sheffield-shield-2023-24-will-pucovski-retires-hurt-after-being-struck-by-bouncer-1423351|publisher=ESPNCricinfo|date=3 March 2024}} forcing him to be substituted out of the match and ending his season.
In September 2024, Pucovski was advised against continuing his cricket career following an assessment by a medical panel.{{cite web |last1=Brettig |first1=Daniel |title=Pucovski taking legal advice on concussion retirement |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/pucovski-taking-legal-advice-on-concussion-retirement-20240903-p5k7f6.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 October 2024 |language=en |date=5 September 2024}} He remained contracted to Victoria while discussions over contract and injury compensation were held.{{cite web |last1=Malcolm |first1=Alex |title=Maxwell set for Shield return with Test hopes on the horizon |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-news-sheffield-shield-2024-25-glenn-maxwell-set-for-shield-return-with-test-hopes-on-the-horizon-1452500 |website=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=24 October 2024 |language=en}}
On 8 April 2025, 13 months after his last cricket match, Pucovski announced his retirement from cricket, citing medical advice to not continue to play cricket due to his concussion history.{{cite web|title=Pucovski announces retirement from cricket due to concussion|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-one-test-batter-will-pucovski-announces-retirement-from-cricket-due-to-concussion-1480238|publisher=ESPNCricinfo|date=8 April 2025}} While announcing his retirement on radio, Pucovski detailed some of the symptoms he was suffering from, including fatigue, headaches and motion sickness.{{cite web|title=Terrifying symptoms that forced Pucovski to retire|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/04/08/exclusive-or-will-pucovski-announces-retirement-from-cricket|publisher=1116 SEN|date=8 April 2025}}
Post-cricket career
On the day of his retirement, Pucovski was appointed senior coach of the Melbourne Cricket Club for the 2025-26 Victorian Premier Cricket season.{{cite web|title=Will Pucovski named head coach of MCC Premier Men’s cricket program|url=https://mcc.org.au/whats-on/latest-news/2025/april/will-pucovski-named-head-coach-of-mcc-premier-mens-cricket-program|publisher=Melbourne Cricket Club|date=8 April 2025}} Melbourne was Pucovski's premier cricket club during his playing career, having been with the club since age 12 and made his debut for its First XI at age 16.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cricinfo|id=772365}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pucovski, Will}}
Category:Australian cricketers
Category:Australia Test cricketers
Category:Cricket Australia XI cricketers
Category:Melbourne Cricket Club cricketers
Category:Cricketers from Melbourne
Category:Australian people of Czech descent
Category:People educated at Brighton Grammar School