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Pucovski makes runs, but no Ashes plans

Talented youngster stars for Victoria again but refuses to look ahead at the possibilities on offer in the UK this winter

For all the uncertainty enshrouding who's going where and why as Australia sends multiple teams to the UK in coming months, Will Pucovski has a clear idea of his southern winter plans.

"I'm going to Byron Bay for a week after the season finishes, so that'll be good," Pucovski said today, after top-scoring for Victoria with 82 in the pre-final warm-up JLT Sheffield Shield match against South Australia.

"I haven't got much planned beyond that, probably just chill out at home for a bit, watch Collingwood (in the AFL) to see how we're going, but nothing else set in stone."

He's not publicly courting it, but those plans might feasibly change to include a trip to the UK with one of those men's teams heading over as part of preparations for the Qantas Ashes Tour that begins next July.

Given his batting form throughout this summer – a key factor in Victoria's clear competition lead and favouritism for next week's Shield final – and his recent inclusion in Australia's Test squad, he's a strong chance for inclusion in the Australia A outfit bound for England in June.

Today's knock, a hard-fought innings that occupied 190 balls and was predominantly watchful defence with the exception of 10 boundaries, was another impressive showing against the Dukes ball.

Vics take slight lead in Adelaide


It followed the unbeaten 131 the right-hander scored against Tasmania earlier this month, and heightened expectation he could be included in the A-squad given his obvious talent and results against the ball that swings more pronouncedly than its rival Kookaburra brand.

But the 21-year-old does not believe his case for another call-up is enhanced or mitigated because he's been successful against the Dukes that was introduced in the Shield competition to replicate conditions Australia batters will likely encounter in the UK.

"You've just got to adjust to whatever conditions you're playing in – runs are runs," he said.

"Whether it's runs against the Kooka, or against the Dukes I don't think it really matters as long as you put your team in a good position relatively often.

Pucovski stars with Shield ton for Vics


"I've felt good for most of the year, in terms of my movement patterns and everything and it's probably about getting the mental processes right.

"I'm feeling in good form, and hopefully leading into a second innings (against SA) and a final, I can cash in and help the team.

"I just go out there and do the best for Victoria, put the team in good positions and if that (a UK trip) came down the track, that would be great."

He appeared destined for a century today – what would have been his third of the current Shield season – until he was revisited by the unlikely ill-fortune that has characterised his blossoming career to date.

Pucovski’s unlucky dismissal on 82


Having been on the receiving end of a few unfortunate body blows in seasons past, he inflicted one upon Redbacks rookie Brad Davis who was fielding at short-leg when Pucovski advanced to part-time spinner Travis Head, and clipped him sweetly off his pads.

However, the ball found the right forearm of Davis who'd been given no time to react to the 'catch', from where it ballooned tamely into the gloves of SA's waiting keeper, Harry Nielsen.

"That was a first, and obviously pretty frustrating," he ruefully conceded.

"I was saying that hopefully I get all the bad luck out of the way before the (Shield) final, then if I nick one or something I won't be walking – I'll wait until the umpire gives me out.

"It was a bit of a rare one. I hit it pretty well, just into the bloke (Davis) and it was pretty unlucky that it rebounded up to the keeper. But stuff like that happens."

Other stuff has also happened, to make this a most extraordinary summer in his very young cricket life.

Last month, he was named Bradman Young Male Cricketer of the Year at the Australian Cricket Awards, adding his name to an honour roll that features acknowledged Test greats Brett Lee, Shane Watson and David Warner.

Then there's been the daunting challenges posed by mental health issues, that he's twice take time out to deal with.

But if the past six months have taught Pucovski anything, it's to take a philosophical view of such unexpected occurrences and he maintains a "different outlook" to that he held at season's start.

Since taking a break from cricket in the wake of his career-high first-class score of 243 last October, he has scored 394 runs at 39.4 from 12 innings.

That included a three-day game for a Cricket Australia XI against the touring Sri Lanka team as a warm-up for their two-Test Domain Series against Australia in January and February.

But it was his two-week tenure with Australia's Test squad in Brisbane and Canberra that brought his most profound insight into what life in the spotlight of international cricket might bring.

Bradman Young Cricketer: Will Pucovski


While that experience was ended prematurely when he returned home from Canberra mid-Test, he has kept in regular contact with men's team coach Justin Langer and notes the lessons he learned were more experiential than technical.

"There was nothing technically or mentally that I changed, it was probably just the good experience to see what that extra exposure is like," Pucovski said of his tenure with the Test team.

"Obviously being around that environment is a bit different, and you're a bit more in the spotlight with what you're doing.

"But other than that, I think it's probably sticking to the philosophy that you've been picked for a reason, so just try and do that as well as you can.

Pucovski plunders Western Australia attack


"There's obviously little things that you try and improve on, but nothing too major."

For the immediate future, his focus is the Shield final in Melbourne next week and then his belated post-summer retreat to the north coast of New South Wales.

Although is history is any teacher, he might expect to have new commitments appear.

It was last January, as he was embarking on a beach holiday to Queensland's Sunshine Coast, that he received word he had been added to Australia's Test squad.

Providing a clear indication that national selectors have plans, even if Pucovski's made none.