Image Source: AFP
[Saba Sports News] Will Pucovski is seizing his cricketing career as a “second chance,” playing a crucial role in Victoria’s pursuit of a third consecutive Sheffield Shield final. He ended a three-year century drought with a score of 131 off 302 balls against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground last Saturday. However, the match was halted due to bad weather, leaving Victoria just two wickets short of victory.
This century came after Pucovski’s 11th concussion, incurred during a match against South Australia on January 21. Pucovski, 26, described his recovery from this particular concussion as relatively straightforward, highlighting his resilience and optimism despite the setbacks.
Speaking on SEN Radio, he shared his experience of a “pretty normal concussion response” and how, for the first time, the incident did not overly stress him. He emphasized the regularity of the recovery process and the importance of a proper return-to-play procedure, which allowed him a swift return to the Shield competition.
“To be honest, that was probably the first time I’d been hit and I didn’t feel overly stressed by it. I just thought, OK, it is what it is. I felt symptoms for two, two-and-a-half weeks, and then as soon as those symptoms went away, and with the physical program I was doing to increase my tolerance and everything, it all clicked into place that I was able to get a couple of days’ prep in before the Shield game and then return to the team. ” So in that regard, it was really good to almost have just a normal concussion in a way and just go through that normal process. Obviously, it’s hard from the outside because people probably assume there’s other stuff going on, but that’s genuinely as simple as it was,” he shared.
Pucovski’s journey has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. This latest century, his seventh in first-class cricket, signifies a major breakthrough and reinforces his confidence in his preparation and playing techniques. Reflecting on his career’s fluctuations, Pucovski views this achievement as a revitalization of his professional journey, appreciative of the support from his state, teammates, and community.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue his career and hopes to reciprocate the faith placed in him, acknowledging how close he was to giving up at times. This century, therefore, holds special significance for Pucovski, symbolizing a fresh start and a reaffirmation of his capabilities and resilience in the face of adversity.