Chasing a mammoth target of 442 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Victoria got off to a brilliant start with Nic Maddinson and Marcus Harris adding 178 for the first wicket. Pucovski came out to bat at No.3, but his innings lasted all of two balls.

Facing Riley Meredith, Pucovski took his eyes off a short ball and ducked right into it, wearing it straight on the helmet. He immediately fell on the ground and looked in serious discomfort as the team doctors came running out on the field.

Pucovski eventually had to retire hurt and was replaced by Peter Handscomb at the crease. Victoria named Campbell Kellaway as Pucovski’s concussion substitute soon afterwards.

A few weeks back, in the second half of January, Pucovski had suffered a similar head injury. Playing for Victoria’s second XI, he was hit on the helmet while attempting a pull off a bouncer from David Grant; he was forced to retire hurt.

Pucovski has an infamous history with concussion-related injuries, and has been battling simultaneous mental health issues for a long time. “The concussions have masked the bigger issues, and that’s the mental health stuff,” he said in the Vic State Cricket podcast earlier this season.

Having made a fine 62 on debut against India at the SCG in 2021, the right-handed top-order batter is yet to play another Test match.

Victoria meanwhile, are going strong in their pursuit of a massive target of 442. At the time of writing, their score reads 296-4, needing another 146 runs for an unlikely victory.

Watch Will Pucovski get hit on the head by a Riley Meredith bouncer:

Luckless Victorian Will Pucovski, again hit by a short ball. He's gone off, retired hurt. Awful to see. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/sp1YtP5Owd

— Trent Kniese (@trent_kniese) March 3, 2024