Pucovski returns with a bang amid pre-season contests

Run machine Will Pucovski has spent more than 10 hours at the crease in adding another big hundred to his collection in Victoria Second XI pre-season fixture with New South Wales.

Pucovski retired on 193 at tea on day three of the match in Coffs Harbour, having faced 405 deliveries and hit 19 fours and a six, by which time Victoria were closing in on 400 for the loss of just one wicket.

The man out was another promising talent in Ashley Chandrasinghe, who added to a string of five successive hundreds in the Northern Territory competition during the off-season with a fine 110 to put on 270 with Pucovski.

See the Vics v NSW Second XI scorecard here

The left-hander also spent almost 10 hours in the middle, facing 327 balls and hitting 14 fours as Victoria replied impressively to NSW's first-innings total of 289.

The best for the Blues were Matthew Gilkes (108) and Ryan Hackney (68), while Cameron McClure took 4-67 for the Vics.

Perhaps Pucovski's greatest moment of concern came on 159 when he doubled over in pain after being hit in the box, and subsequently spent five minutes recovering as a drinks break was taken.

He resumed thereafter, tucking a single off his pads to continue on his way. 

See the Qld v Tas Second XI scorecard here

At Allan Border Field in Brisbane, another Second XI clash was being played out between Queensland and Brisbane.

After batting first, the Bulls knocked up 7d-378 thanks to 106 from Sam Heazlett, while Bryce Street (83), Jack Clayton (54) and Gurinder Sandhu (74no) also made strong contributions.

In reply, Tasmania were bowled out for 243 with only Jake Doran (61) passing fifty, and Blake Edwards claiming Queensland's best figures with 2-29.

Midway through day three the Bulls were 3-143 in their second innings, with Sam Truloff (39no) and Heazlett (38no) in the middle.