Glenn Maxwell and Nic Maddinson are also dealing with their mental wellbeing.
Australia Test captain Tim Paine has on Thursday, November 14, sympathised with young Will Pucovski, but he applauded his decision to withdraw from the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan starting from 21 November at The Gabba.
The skipper further added that he will contact Pucovski in coming days to offer his support to his close friend while admitting that Australia’s many leading players are dealing the mental health challenges, but feels it is wrong to say it's a cricket-related issue.
Paine told media on Thursday, “I've left him alone today, I'll give him a ring probably tomorrow. I've obviously got a lot of time for Will as a person, he's a great young kid and it's sad to see him going through this. We know how talented he is.”
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He continued, “I think making the right decision to step away and take care of himself and get himself healthy and in the right state of mind is going to be important because we think he's someone who's got a huge Test future. But first and foremost we want Will to be a happy young man, and I think sometimes we forget that he's still a kid. He's had a lot of pressure put on him from outside sources, and expectation and hopefully he's in a position in the next few years to fulfil that potential that he's got. The first priority for us, and for Will, is his mental wellbeing.
"I think to say it's a cricket-related issue is wrong. I think it's a big issue in all walks of life. "It's a very complex issue, we know that, and I think Cricket Australia and cricket in general have supported the three guys in particular that are having a spell at the moment.”
Paine signed off by saying, “We can only be there to support, and hopefully their mental wellbeing is in a good place eventually, and we can get those guys back out playing cricket. It's what they do, and it's for us to support them and help them through some difficult times.”
(With Cricket Australia Network Inputs)