Pucovski leaves Aussie Test squad

Will Pucovski has been released from Australia's Test squad in Canberra, with Cricket Australia (CA) medical staff citing concerns over his wellbeing as the reason for his exit. 

Pucovski spent time out of the game in the first half of the JLT Sheffield Shield season with a stress-related mental health issue, but returned in Victoria's final match before the KFC Big Bash break and was subsequently picked for the Test squad to take on Sri Lanka. 

"Will Pucovski has been released from the Men's Test squad and will return home to Melbourne to continue managing his wellbeing," said team doctor Richard Shaw.  

"He reported some challenges over the past few days, and the decision has been made that the best thing for Will"s welfare is for him to return home to Melbourne.

"Will has been proactive in this process and while he has made significant progress, he feels this is the best course of action to get ready to play cricket for Victoria.

"He worked closely with members of his family, Cricket Australia medical staff and Cricket Victoria to reach his decision."

"Will's decision to speak up and continue to ask for assistance in managing his ongoing mental health is extremely positive.

"Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria will continue to support Will, and we kindly ask that Will's privacy is respected so he can continue working towards a return to Premier Cricket and the next round of first-class cricket."

Pucovski, who turns 21 on Saturday, was overlooked for a Test debut against the Sri Lankans in both Brisbane and Canberra. 

The highly-regarded batting prodigy's rise had largely come off the back of a marathon 243 for the Vics made last October against the Warriors in Perth, which shot him to prominence among cricket fans around the country.

But it was during that match that Pucovski began battling with a mental health issue.

"It was one of those things where what it looked like from the outside wasn't quite matching up with what it was on the inside … I was more confused than at any other time in my life," Pucovski told Fox Sports.

"I was 64 not out overnight if I remember. I got to the game to have my pre-morning hit in the nets and pulled one of the coaches, Lachie Stevens, aside and said, 'Look mate, this is what I'm going through. I don't really understand what's going on and don't know why it's happening but this is what's happening'.

"It was quite a confronting thing but they were beyond awesome about it … They were just so supportive from the outset.

"I actually look back on it and don't have much of a recollection on the innings, which is rare for me.

"Usually I can remember vividly what I'd done, the innings that I had played or the day's play I'd been through.

"In a weird way it felt as if it was a bit of a cheat code. If I could find a way to do this consistently, obviously without the other things going on, it could bode for some success."

Pucovski, who dominated at under-age level before making his debut for Victoria, has also suffered several concussions during his career that have slowed his progression.

He was hit on the head three times last season having also copped a blow fielding at short leg on his Shield debut in early 2017.

All this after a luckless series of childhood blows that included a sling tackle during a schoolyard football match, a ball ricocheting from an adjoining net during cricket training, and hitting his head on a door in his own house.

None of it prevented him from making history with that epic double-hundred, as he became the first batsman to score a Shield double hundred before turning 21 since Ricky Ponting, and just the ninth overall.

Victoria's next Shield match is scheduled to begin on February 23 against Queensland at Junction Oval.

If you or someone you know needs support, visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au/