If You're A Park Cricketer, You'd Say 'Retire Mate': Concerns Over Will Pucovski Future After He Suffers 9th Concussion

With Will Pucovski suffering yet another concussion in his short cricket career so far, former Australia team doctor Peter Brukner has expressed his concerns over his future. He suffered his latest concussion during the tour game between India A and Australia A.

The highly-rated opener was hit on his head by a bouncer from Kartik Tyagi and immediately dropped down on his knees. After receiving medical attention, he walked off the field. It was the ninth time, the 22-year old suffered a concussion in his short career so far.

Watch: Kartik Tyagi Floors Will Pucovski With Bouncer, Forcing Batsman To Retire Hurt

He is already out of the second tour game and is in doubt for the series-opener against India too. Cricket Australia last provided an update on the batsman’s condition on Wednesday, saying he is still experiencing “mild symptoms”.

“He is in good spirits and has been communicating and interacting regularly with teammates and staff,” CA’s chief medical officer John Orchard said. “Will will remain with the Australia A squad in Sydney where we will continue to monitor his progress.”

Concerns over Will Pucovski’s future:

As Will Pucovski recovers from the latest blow, Brukner believes he could make his Test debut next week if he is free of concussion symptoms by Friday. However, the former Australia team doctor still holds concerns over the 22-year-old’s future. Brukner said the track record is worrying, and that there are growing concerns his concussions are occurring with less force.

“The concern is that with each concussion maybe less force is required. It’s a little bit easier, if you like, to develop a concussion,” he was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

“That’s one concern and the other is the great unknown: Is there any accumulated damage from recurrent concussions (in cricket)? The science is not clear on that really. If you were a park cricketer, you’d say ‘retire mate’. But it’s his livelihood and his career. It’s a tough one,” he added.

With David Warner out of the first Test due to a groin injury, Will Pucovski is likely to open the innings provided that he is fit. Brukner said that Pucovski likely has until the weekend to start feeling back to normal, otherwise “he’s in trouble” for the first Test.

“How many more is too many? There is no magic number. It’s really difficult,” said Brukner on the batsman’s concussion history.

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