The Ashes: Australian drummer Will Pucovski ‘unlikely’ to play in first test as he pursues recovery from concussion | Cricket News

Australian opener Will Pucovski is set to miss the first ash test next month as he continues to recover from a concussion.

Pucovski, 23, was hit by a ball while training for the Victoria State team last month.

Victoria coach Chris Rogers ruled Pucovski out of this week’s Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales and said he was a major doubt for the Ashes’ opener against England in Brisbane on December 8 after a setback in his recovery.

« During discussions with the medical team and the national coaches it was felt that we would give him a little more time before he was selected to play for Australia, » said Rogers, a former opener. Australian.

“It’s definitely a setback – I would now say he’s unlikely to play in the first test.

“If we play a third Shield game in mid-November, and there could also be a second XI game for Victoria, that could set him up for one of the games in the middle of the Ashes series.

“This is the best scenario at the moment. « 

The recent practice stroke was the latest in a history of concussion issues for Pucovski.

He made his Test debut against India in Sydney in January, scoring 62 points in his first inning, but suffered a shoulder injury in the game and was replaced by opener Marcus Harris.

Australian tests captain Tim Paine has named Harris the ‘favorite’ to team up with David Warner if Pucovski proves unfit, but Queensland captain Usman Khawaja is also a candidate after scoring two consecutive centuries in the Shield on last month.