Australia's Pucovski confirms retirement amid ongoing concussion struggle
MELBOURNE, April 8 (Reuters) - Former test batsman Will Pucovski has confirmed his retirement from cricket at the age of 27 as the Australian continues to battle concussion symptoms more than a year after being struck by a ball in a domestic match.
The Melbourne native was once seen as the future of Australian cricket as he made a half-century on his test debut against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2021.
here.
It was to prove his only international match, though, as he suffered a shoulder injury in the field and was never able to break back into the squad due to repeated instances of concussion.
Pucovski confirmed to radio station SEN on Tuesday that he was still suffering symptoms more than a year after being hit in the helmet by a delivery from Tasmania fast bowler Riley Meredith in a Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.
"From there it's been a tough year, a lot of the symptoms didn't go away, which has led me to this decision," said the former Victoria number three, who has battled headaches, dizziness and lethargy.
"It's unfortunately gotten to a stage now where a year or so down the track (I am) still suffering, still don't really have the answers I have been looking for in terms of why I am still getting these symptoms, and it's come time to make this decision."
The setback he suffered against Tasmania was the 13th known instance of concussion over his career which began with huge promise as the right-hander racked up runs in Victoria's top order.
While on the cusp of playing test cricket, Pucovski withdrew himself from selection several times to manage mental health problems linked to concussion.
He told SEN he was still suffering from fatigue and with "things on his left side."
He said his next move would be in coaching with his local team, the Melbourne Cricket Club, which would help soften the blow of never playing again.
"I am 27 and hopefully I have a good life ahead of me ... I don't want to do any more damage to my brain," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Celtic hero makes key prediction about Postecoglou's future
The Australian was sacked by the North London club on Friday afternoon, despite leading them to Europa League glory just over a fortnight prior. Read more: Recently speaking to Sky Sports, Grant outlined his stance on Postecoglou, making a key prediction about his future. "I think it is [harsh]," he said. "I get really excited watching Tottenham because I don't know what I'm going to get. "I think he's been terrific. I'm delighted for him that he got the European trophy, for one reason, because, for Scottish football, people might say, 'He was only managing Celtic up in Scotland'. "He's proven what a top-quality manager he is, there is absolutely no doubt of that. "I'm sure he'll get a top-quality job yet again. "I'm delighted for him, and I'm sure he'll go on to bigger and better things." Spurs captain Son Heung-Min made his feelings on Postecoglou's sacking clear: "You've changed the trajectory of this club," he said on Instagram. "You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did. "You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it's had in decades. We will have those memories for life. "You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It's been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you. "Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate."
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Club World Cup to trial FIVE ‘trailblazing innovations' as Fifa chief confirms ‘groundbreaking' new rule changes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Club World Cup will trial five brand new rule changes when it kicks off later this month. Fifa's revamped tournament gets underway on June 15 and will see top clubs from around the globe face off for an elaborate trophy and mega prize money. 5 Fifa have announced five rule changes for the upcoming Club World Cup Credit: Reuters 5 Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has labelled the changes as 'trailblazing innovations' Credit: PA The tournament, which used to feature just six teams, has been expanded to 32 teams, spanning Europe, South America, North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. But it's not just the tournament format that is going to look different, but also the way the games are officiated, after Fifa announced five "trailblazing innovations" to be used in the competition. Football's world governing body, and tournament organisers, have revealed that fans will get to see more of the referee's decision making than ever before. The first change announced is that referees will wear body cameras during matches, with the footage used during live match broadcasts. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL LIONESS LOVE SPLIT England's Millie Bright leaves fiancé & falls for married gym trainer While footage from referee monitor reviews (VAR) will be aired live inside the stadium - something Premier League fans have been asking to see for some time. Fifa will also trial an "advanced" semi-automated offside technology using sensors inside the balls, in hopes of making further improvement on the tech already used in Uefa competitions like the Champions League. A fourth change will be the use of AI to collect live match data, helping fans see even more stats and figures to dissect the match. While the final innovation is that managers and coaching staff will be able to request their substitutions to the fourth official through a digital tablet, doing away with the old fashioned paper slips used at present. 5 Referee's will wear body cameras that will be used during TV broadcasts 5 VAR replays will be shown on screens inside stadiums at the tournament Credit: Reuters CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Fifa's secretary general Mattias Grafstrom praised the organisation for the new additions. He said: "Fifa has a proud history of breaking new ground at its elite tournaments, and the Fifa Club World Cup will continue that trend. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World's best players decide which club is the greatest "With the best clubs competing for the title of world champions, it is fitting that these trailblazing innovations will be on display at such a prestigious tournament." The tournament will be broadcast for free on streaming service DAZN in the UK. Fans can look forward to rare matchups between teams from different continents with clubs like Real Madrid, Flamengo, Man City, Chelsea and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami all involved. The tournament is taking place across the United States of America, with top NFL and MLS stadiums hosting the matches. The final, which takes place on July 13, will be hosted in New York at the MetLife Stadium - home of the New York Jets and New York Giants. Fifa's new Club World Cup rules Here's a look at the five new 'trailblazing innovations' introduced by Fifa for the Club World Cup... Referees will wear body cameras with the footage used on live match broadcasts. Footage from referee monitor reviews will be aired live in stadiums. Advanced semi-automated offside technology will be in use. Balls will have a sensor inside. AI will be used to collect live match data as part of FIFA's partnership with Hawk-Eye. Substitutions will be requested on a digital tablet rather than via paper slips.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou
Cost of sacking Postecoglou has been revealed ALL OVER GLOU BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A THEORY has been revealed that explains the timing of Ange Postecoglou's sacking. Spurs chief Daniel Levy axed the boss last night - just 16 days after he lifted the Europa League. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Ange Postecoglou was sacked after exactly two years at Spurs Credit: Getty 2 Daniel Levy held fire for 16 days after the final Credit: Getty Victory over Manchester United in Bilbao ended the club's 17-year wait for a trophy. But after leaving Postecoglou in the dark over his future, Spurs finally announced he was relieved of his duties yesterday. It marked exactly two years to the day from when the Australian landed the job. BBC senior football reporters Ian Dennis and Sami Mokbel discussed the sacking on the Football Daily Podcast. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL LIONESS LOVE SPLIT England's Millie Bright leaves fiancé & falls for married gym trainer Both were adamant that the move to get rid of Postecoglou was made before the final. They said league form was seen as the "true barometer" and Europa League success was just a "bump in the road" to their ultimate decision. Dennis shared a theory that explained the over two-week wait for the confirmation. He tweeted: "Interesting his departure was timed after he had completed two years and on the first day of his third year. Significant in any settlement?" Postecoglou has reportedly pocketed £4m after being shown the exit door by Levy. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He already collected a £2m bonus for getting the club into the Champions League. Brentford's Thomas Frank is the leading candidate to take over and he has a £10m release clause in his contract. Who could replace Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham manager? Fulham's Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola remains in contention.
