27-year-old Australia opener retires from cricket due to concussion

Former Australia Test opener Will Pucovski has retired from all levels of cricket at the age of 27.

Pucovski has been forced to retire from professional cricket following a recommendation from a panel of experts. The batter faced a series of incidents where he was hit on the head, causing him concussions, during his career.

The latest episode of concussion happened in March 2024. Pucovski was forced to retire hurt when a delivery hit him on the helmet during a Sheffield Shield match. It sidelined him for the remainder of the Australian summer and led him to withdraw his contract with Leicestershire for the English summer of 2024.

The one-Test player revealed the decision when speaking on SEN Mornings on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to be playing cricket again. It’s been a really difficult year to put it as simply as possible,” Pucovski said.

“I’d need a few hours, I think, to take you through the whole journey … but the simple message is I won’t be playing cricket at any level again.

“There’s been an illustrious group of one-Test players. Unfortunately, that’s where my journey ends.”

Last year, a medical panel recommended the 27-year-old retire.

In 36 first-class matches, Pucovski scored 2,350 runs at an average of 45.19, including seven centuries. In his sole Test appearance, against India at Sydney in the 2020/21 season, he made 62 and 10.

--ICC--