Aussie cricket in shock as terrible incident could spell the end of star’s career – and he’s only 26

Will Pucovski’s future is again up in the air after the star batsman suffered another blow to the head while batting during Victoria’s Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania in Hobart.

Pucovski, facing just his second ball, was hit on the side of his helmet after ducking a rising delivery from Riley Meredith on Sunday.

The 26-year-old immediately jumped onto the pitch as players rushed to check on his well-being.

Pucovski spent the next few minutes on all fours as medical staff tended to him, with the star hitter coughing violently at times.

He finally managed to stand up and then slowly staggered off the ground to retreat injured.

The latest knock raises fresh questions not only about his cricket career but also his short and long-term health.

Pucovski has suffered at least 11 concussions in his career, and it seems almost certain that this latest hit will also be diagnosed as a concussion.

The right-hander played his only test in 2021, but sat out the game in 2022 for mental health reasons.

Just last month, Pucovski recorded his first Shield century in more than three years to raise hopes that he could get his career back on track.

Last month, Pucovski announced his engagement to his girlfriend Emma Stonier, despite his future father-in-law jokingly rejecting his request.

He popped the question on New Year’s Eve, but has since revealed that the process wasn’t as smooth as he would like.

Speaking on Channel 7, the Victorian spoke about the happy news and how it came about.

“It’s been an exciting week,” he told 7Cricket’s The Spin.

Pucovski was hit on the side of his helmet after dodging a rising ball from Riley Meredith.

The talented cricketer has suffered at least 11 previous concussions in his career.

‘I didn’t (kneel down), it was more of a lunge. I’m not the most flexible, so it was hard to get to the end. And it was on gravel, so I didn’t want to cut my knee or anything like that. I kept it pretty simple.’

When asked if he got approval from Stonier’s father, Pucovski revealed that it wasn’t easy.

“I got the old man’s (my partner’s) approval, it’s a little annoying,” Pucovski laughed.

“I actually asked her on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas Day she came up to me and said, ‘I’ve thought about it and no, you can’t, she’s too good for you.’

And I said, “I agree, but I’ll do it anyway. Yesterday you said yes, that’s enough for me!”

‘But yeah, it was good to do it. (We went on) a 45-minute walk to this spot that I had chosen and I was excited for the first 44 minutes, and then at the last minute I just completely lost it.

“I had a big speech planned and everything went out the window, and I thought, ‘Just do this and make it happen.'”