Another cricketer suffers concussion courtesy Sean Abbott's bouncer

Will Pucovski, rising Victorian star, faced another long interruption to his career just as it was taking off after the 20-year-old batsman suffered the third concussion for the summer at the Junction Oval. In unfortunate scenes on Sunday, Pucovski suffered a blow by a short ball from NSW fast bowler Sean Abbott and fell to his knees after the ball struck his helmet.

Abbott, the bowler who bowled the bouncer that struck Phillip Hughes at the SCG in November 2014 which ended in his tragic death, was also shaken and raced down to Pucovski who was quickly surrounded by players and officials. It took him several minutes to get to his feet, before being helped off the ground by medical and physio staff, seemingly struggling to keep his balance.

The young batsman has a long history of injuries in his brief career and has suffered seven concussions in playing and training mishaps over the past five years. He was subbed out of the game, replaced by Dan Christian, and will be sent for more tests.

Sean Abbott understandably struggled in the initial aftermath of the incident and needed to compose himself before bowling again. But he settled down and continued to bowl short balls at the Victorian batsman, with Pucovski watching on.

More update on Pucovski

Victorian team doctor Trefor James said Pucovski would continue to be assessed, but recent recovery times indicate his season is over. The young Victorian reported that he had a headache, but no more severe symptoms than that and he intended to be at the Junction Oval for Monday’s third day of play. Watching, however, could be all Pucovski can do for some time, and his history of head knocks makes for worrying reading.

“Will Pucovski remained at the ground following the incident and is being treated by Cricket Victoria’s medical staff. Will has been ruled out of the remainder of the match and we will continue to monitor him over the coming days, and we can then determine a return to play plan for him,” James said, as reported by Deccan Herald.

He was forced out of action for six months after his initial concussion playing football, but took a subsequent knock at cricket training, and then again when he hit his head at home. In his Sheffield Shield debut, last season a ball reared up and struck Pucovski on the head while fielding at the MCG and was unable to play or practice again for months.

This summer he was struck on the head during Victoria’s one-day campaign in October, then again playing a second XI game for Victoria at Casey Field in November. Pucovski returned to cricket only after Christmas. He has played all three Sheffield Shield games since the post-Big Bash League resumption but seems unlikely to take any further part in the Vics’ hunt for their fourth straight title with only one more game to go.

Watch the video here:

Sean Abbott's bouncer is back! pic.twitter.com/10qwMynWwc

— Sai Kishore (@DivingSlip) March 4, 2018