Test cricket captain Tim Paine says he was “shattered” when he heard young gun Will Pucovski had suffered another head hit and concussion which has left him in doubt for the Ashes campaign.
Cricket Victoria confirmed Pucovski received a knock to the head in training with Victoria last week.
“Will is currently managing his recovery in consultation with CV’s medical staff,” a statement read. “We look forward to having him back at training as soon as he’s recovered.”
It was previously reported as the 10th concussion of Pucovski’s young career, but Paine described the latest blow as the 15th or 16th concussion.
Paine, speaking on his regular slot on Hobart SEN radio said it was “shattering when I found out.
“I’ve spoken to him a bit the last few days. He is improving slowly. I don’t think it’s as bad as some of the others he’s had before but with his history we have to be very careful with anything around the brain. I was devastated to hear it’s happened again.”
While there has been no confirmation of how long he will be sidelined, and the Ashes seven weeks away, Paine said Pucovski was “still hoping to be ready at some stage this summer.
“He’s got plenty of support around him, and we know how good he is so there’s no need to rush him at the moment. He’s 22-23 years of age, he’s got a lot of time in the game if we can get it right.”
Paine said Pucovski had the inside running to partner David Warner in the first Test starting on December 8.
“It’s a blow, no doubt,” Paine said.
“In my opinion, he would’ve partnered Warner in that first Test match, there’s no doubt about that.
“But Marcus Harris is probably the guy waiting for the opportunity and he’s just come back from a superb six months over in England playing for Leicestershire in county cricket and we know his first-class record has been outstanding for Victoria for a long time.
“He’s probably the frontrunner now for that role.”
Paine, meanwhile, reacted enthusiastically to reports that Ben Stokes could make it back from a finger injury to play a part in the series.
Stokes posted video of his return to the nets on Friday.
“If he does (make it out for the Ashes), it would be awesome for the series. He’s an entertainer,” Paine said.
The captain is also currently sidelined by injury as he recovers from neck surgery.
“I’m back in training this week, doing a bit of pilates, jogging and swimming,” said Paine. “It was good to have bat back in hand. I’m moving pretty normally.”
Minz
Guest
Poor guy. Reading the list of ways that he's got concussed, it seems he's one of those people who just has a knack for running his head into things, rather than particularly having difficulty with the bouncers. There's many non-ball related injuries, like running into a door knob, tripping while running between wickets etc. Unfortunately he also seems to get concussed pretty easily, and the two tendencies don't sit together well for any sort of professional sporting career. He does seem to have the batting talent though.
Paul
Roar Guru
and that's the tough part isn't it, trying to gaze into a crystal ball and tell a 23 year old whether it's worth playing cricket again. I feel for the medical staff who have to make this call, as well as bearing the weight of expectation from Cricket Australia, the media, fans and of course Puckovski, to give an all-clear when that might be a really bad call. I guess that's why the specialists charge the big bucks.
Paul
Roar Guru
You're right, he only played Tests last year thanks to injury to Puckovski, but that's 10 months ago and plenty has happened since then. For a start, he's made a lot of runs in England, which if Paine is to be believed, counted for nothing, because he rather have a player with virtually zero form as an opening bat, than one who has shown some good form. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Harris fan. He's had plenty of chances at Test level and hasn't delivered, but like Head, he's doing everything he can to show he's capable of making runs, so Paine's comments would have hurt. At the least, Paine owes him an explanation.
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure Harris knows he sits behind Pucovski in the pecking order, he only played last summer when Pucovski got injured. I'm sure Harris will be pretty happy to hear the test captain say that next in line.
Chufortah
Guest
Good luck to Will. Cricket is dying in Australia - a slow death. The Ashes is the only thing going for it. From a cultural necessity, to selling the One Day game out to the highest bidder, it seems remarkably similar to rugby’s slide downs the pecking order, worse still as cricket has no completion in summer. That said, the women’s game is all i see now in tv, combined with a commodified BBL… nothing is sacred. I used to love cricket, look forward to the pajamas… my fondest memories of the international series now consigned to pay tv. The world moves on I get it, but I fear that we’re going down the old “Aussie 101 Brainless Sports Admin” path where $ is king and short-term goals trump long term sustainability. Let’s see what comes out the other side in about 10+ years of bastardisation! Hopefully we go full circle
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Your carrying on like a pork shop you bloody peanut Like l suggested earlier l wish the best for the young man & Paine even told media he hopes for his return in the upcoming series To bring up Hughes your a sick individual with a evil disposition Get a life you loser :laughing:
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Get a new brain Your concussed one from "minor hits" that are just part of cricket is broken. I'd give you 100 bucks to say that to Phil Hughes parents Getting hit in the head can kill you. Don't be so glib about it next time...it may be the last time you get hit there.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :sick:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Get a life you poor soul :thumbdown:
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
How was I meant to know that? You are a faceless keyboard hack. Nonetheless, as you have declared your race, I'll retract the "ape" word considering the obvious concerns around it. I'll instead just call you a complete tool with mind like tofu instead, happy? No matter what race you are - you are thick as a plank. I'll be watching your every unintelligent post! :angry: Smarten up, eh? Repeated head knocks are devastating. You don't just call them minor if it's your 14th and try to brush them off.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
"It seems so wrong". You obviously do have a problem with it. If he shoots his mouth off, that his problem, not yours.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
You called me an Ape l have Aboriginal heritage l should report your disgusting language be warned l’ll be watching your every word :angry:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Hahaha :thumbup:
Kalva
Roar Rookie
I have no problem with it but I’ll tell you one thing…Paine has a habit of shooting his mouth off and it coming back to bite him in the bum. A radio show where he has more of an opportunity to shoot his mouth off and create more pressure on himself which he has repeatedly he handles poorly may not be the best thing for the team. As an Indian fan, I love seeing Tim as captain and in the spotlight…you know that India’s chances increase every time. I hope he proves Ashwin wrong and plays for another 10 years!
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
I'm not providing emotional rhetoric. I'm providing cold, hard medical fact to what happens to an individual who has had a dozen odd concussions - while wearing a helmet - and then gets again by a ball at 140km/h. He got felled this time by a throwdown. A throwdown. That's a clear sign that the threshold to concuss him is getting lower and lower. He is concussion prone. I'd say you aren't, but judging by the incredible naivity in your posts, perhaps you are as well. If he wasn't concussion prone, then this wouldn't be too much an issue. But he is, so it's now a quality of life issue for him. If he was playing football, he'd already have been medically retired. That is fact. Although, you are clearly the type of ape who would say "hits in the head in footy are a fact of life". Keep living your deluded life though. All the best to you.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That’s a ridiculous statement, head knocks are an unfortunate result of playing cricket l’ve had my fair share like most that have played cricket. Want the best for the young man & want him to be a successful test cricketer. No need for emotional rhetoric!
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
What's the problem with it? It's a weekly gig in Hobart...it's not exactly a $$$$ payday. Jeez people are so touchy
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
A minor headknock from a throw down. Yeah! We'll just wait for the major headknock from a 145km/h bouncer to kill him instead. That's the spirit, Chanon!
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Didn't the paper say it was during throwdowns? Throwdowns...if you are getting concussed off throwdowns, then test cricket would actually be lethal.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Lol, serious?! This guy is cursed! :laughing: