Australia head coach Justin Langer has on Wednesday (December 16) admitted that he is “worried” about Will Pucovski after the youngster suffered his ninth concussion during the recent warm-up game for the upcoming Test series against India at home.
Pucovski was ruled out of the first Day-Night Test of the four-match Test series starting Thursday, December 17, at Adelaide Oval after suffering a concussion in the first warm-up game between Australia A and India A at SCG. He was hit on the front of his helmet by India's reserve pacer Kartik Tyagi bouncer.
It was the 22-year-old's ninth concussion, not all from cricket and Langer said the Australian team management is closely monitoring the youngster who is currently at home with his family.
The head coach further said he feels sad for Pucovski as the youngster would have received a baggy green for the first Test on Thursday if the incident would not have happened.
As per Fox Sports, Langer stated on the eve of the first Test: “Will has had multiple concussions now. We're obviously keeping a close eye on him. He's back home with his family at the moment.”
The coach further added, “I'm worried about Will because he got hit again the other day, and he almost certainly would have played this first Test match, so I feel for him. He'll recover well then we just have to keep following the protocols. If they go through the stages and are fit for selection then we have a choice to select them or not … if they don't, it's taken out of our hands.”
The 50-year-old had himself suffered several head knocks and said bouncers were a “part of the game” and if the one can get through it then he would certainly have a long successful career.
Langer signed off by saying, “It's part of the game. Unfortunately, we get hit. I can only go from personal experience, what I've felt and also seen. But If you can get through it then there's no reason why you can't have a long and very, very successful domestic and hopefully international career.”
(With PTI Inputs)
