SYDNEY, Oct 30, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Young Australian batting prodigy Will
Pucovski says he’s in “a really good space” and ready to fight for a Test
spot against India after mental health issues twice forced him to step away
from the game.
The 22-year-old, regarded as one of the country’s best prospects, was
parachuted into the national set-up last summer for Tests against Sri Lanka.
But after being overlooked for the first one and again missing out on
selection for the second he was released to return home and focus on his
mental wellbeing.
It was not the first time Pucovski had struggled, taking a long break after
hitting a breakthrough 243 for Victoria against Western Australia in 2018.
“I didn’t feel like I was quite ready at the time, but I’ve done a mountain
of work in the last year to try to get myself a little further down the
line,” he told reporters.
“I just feel like I’m in a really good space now, which is awesome, just in
everyday life and with my cricket.
“I don’t have much control over whether they pick me or not, but I’m
definitely very keen,” he added of his aspirations for this summer’s four-
Test tour by India, which starts in Adelaide on December 17.
His first chance to press a case comes on Friday when Victoria get their
Sheffield Shield campaign underway against South Australia.
Mental health has been thrust into the spotlight in recent times, with
batting superstar Glenn Maxwell and fellow international Nic Maddinson also
taking breaks last year.
And there was another reminder this week with South Australia opener Jake
Weatherald, who struck a century in their opening Shield clash, withdrawing
from their squad to face Victoria for similar reasons.
“He is just having a bit of time out, so we are respecting his wishes and
his privacy and hopefully he is back with us sooner rather than later,” South
Australia coach Jason Gillespie said.
Cricket Australia recently appointed its first mental health and wellbeing
officer and there has been increased emphasis on the issue as players deal
with being in bio-secure hubs during the coronavirus pandemic.