Australia's Chief Of Selectors Assures Will Pucovski Ready For Test Series Following His Mental Health Struggles

On Tuesday, Cricket Australia named the 17-man Test squad for their upcoming epic four-match series against India. Victorian batsman Will Pucovski, who received the backing of former cricketers based on his Sheffield Shield form, was one of the much-anticipated names that made it to the party along with the other Test specialists. Chief selector Trevor Hohns remains hopeful that Will Pucovski would be ready to go after a series of mental health struggles.

Will Pucovski made it to the Test squad even a couple more times previously; however, pulled out due to mental health struggles. Nevertheless, the upcoming rubber against India could be when the 22-year old could finally wear the Baggy Green. Pucovski has racked up 495 runs in only two Sheffield Shield games, hitting two double-centuries that earned him a national team call-up. He will have a battle with Joe Burns for the second opener’s slot while David Warner remains fixed.

Australia’s extended Test squad include five uncapped players, captained by the keeper-batsman Tim Paine. Along with Pucovski, Cricket Australia has named Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Sean Abbott to face the men in blue. India’s tour down under begins with the three-match ODI series, set to commence from the 27th of November in Sydney. The Test series starts in Adelaide with the day and night game.

“Will Pucovski is not just in good form, he’s in great form: Trevor Hohns

Trevor Hohns was all praise for Will Pucovski’s insatiable appetite for run-scoring in the Sheffield Shield this year and underlined that they would keep track of his mental health condition. He remains hopeful that the right-handed batsman would make himself available throughout the summer.

“He’s not just in good form, he’s in great form, I think that’s undeniable. As far as Will goes, and the same with all players, we obviously check their health and wellbeing. We do the necessary checks (and) Will’s good to go, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be fine all the way through,” Hohns stated as quoted by India Today.

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