Will Pucovski’s hopes of a Test debut are in doubt after he copped a blow to the head in Australia A’s drawn tour match against the Indians.
Key points:
- Australia A opener Will Pucovski has walked off unassisted after being hit in the helmet by a ball from Indian paceman Kartik Tyagi
- He made 1 in the first innings against India but was 23 not out in the second innings when he was hit
- The young Victorian, who has had a series of concussions, is in the mix for a spot in the first Test side in Adelaide on December 17
Pucovski, who has had eight concussions previously, was hit on the front of the helmet trying to pull a ball from paceman Kartik Tyagi.
On 23 at the time, he remained on his hands and knees on the ground for around 90 seconds before being escorted from the field retired hurt.
He looked dazed as he walked from the ground unassisted, with Dr John Orchard beside him.
The Victorian young gun looked to be closing in on a national team debut in Adelaide, with only nine days to go before the first Test against India.
He hit double centuries in both Sheffield Shield games for Victoria this summer.
David Warner remains in grave doubt and in a race against time to beat a groin injury and play, leaving Pucovski in the driving seat to open alongside Joe Burns.
Even if Warner is fit, there was every chance on Tuesday afternoon Pucovski had edged ahead of Burns.
The Queenslander’s poor run with the bat continued in Australia A’s second innings, out for a duck as the game finished with the hosts 1-52.
Sent back into bat late on the final day, Burns was bowled third ball when he played on trying to drive Umesh Yadav.
Marcus Harris, who could now find himself in contention for a recall, finished the day 25 not out.
Cameron Green also did his Test chances no harm, taking two wickets on Tuesday to go with his unbeaten 125.
But Burns continues to struggle.
He has now passed 11 just once in seven innings this summer, with his average sitting at 8.71.
It came after unheralded Queensland quick Mark Steketee took 5-37 in India’s second innings before they declared at 9-189 and set Australia A 131 from 15 overs.
Michael Neser took 2-41, including the prized scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara for a duck when he took his off stump with one that seamed back at him.
Green meanwhile removed openers Prithvi Shaw (19) and Shubman Gill (29) with his pace and bounce — both caught at point — to return figures of 2-19.
The 21-year-old still faces a tough task to crack into Australia’s Test team for the series opener next week, with selectors keen to stick with the incumbent middle order.
But his century in Australia A’s first innings of 306 showed he could belong in the top six on his batting alone, playing beautifully through the offside.
AAP
