Will Pucovski, Victoria’s 21-year-old batsman, has withdrawn himself from consideration for Test selection for the upcoming series against Pakistan, citing mental health issues.
“We applaud Will for having the courage to discuss his situation with team management in Perth,” national teams’ manager Ben Oliver said in a statement, after Pucovski reached out to Cricket Australia, becoming the third Australian in the last month, after Glenn Maxwell and Nic Maddinson, to break away from the game citing mental health reasons.
“Will’s decision not to nominate for Test selection was the right one in the circumstances and one that everyone in the Australian cricket family supports.”
Pucovski was on the verge of selection for the first Test against the visiting Pakistan, but requested not to be included ahead of the squad announcement. Earlier this year, he left the Australia squad during Sri Lanka’s Test visit for the same reasons.
Australia squad for Pakistan Tests
Tim Paine (c & wk), Joe Burns, David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc
Good call to leave Khawaja out? pic.twitter.com/bAiffVvJej
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 14, 2019
The batsman reached out to officials during Australia A’s practice game against Pakistan in Perth, where he scored 5 in the first innings and did bat in the second.
“The most important thing now is for Will to be given the time, space and expert support that he needs to return to full health as soon as possible. I speak on behalf of everyone in Australian cricket when I say we wish Will the very best in his recovery,” Oliver added.
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Australia announced their squad after releasing their statement on Pucovski, and have drafted in Cameron Bancroft, who was dropped midway through the Ashes, as well as Joe Burns, who last played a Test in February. Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja have both been left out for the series that begins in Brisbane on November 21.
Australia’s Test squad for the two-Test series against Pakistan : Tim Paine (capt & wk), David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Michael Neser
