Australia head coach Justin Langer was hopeful of Will Pucovski’s recovery in time for the fourth and final Test but said that in case he is unavailable then Marcus Harris will open the innings at The Gabba, Brisbane starting January 15 (Friday).
Pucovski has a partially dislocated shoulder while diving in the field during his Test debut game – the third Test against India at Sydney Cricket Ground and Harris would replace him in the Australia XI if the youngster fails to recover in time for the final Brisbane Test.
However, Langer is quite optimistic about the 22-year-old’s recovery but they will get a clearer picture of his availability by tonight. The opener was impressive on his Test debut, scoring a fifty at SCG last week.
Langer said at a virtual press conference: “Will had a sore shoulder before he fell, he was actually going to have a scan after that day's play anyway, just to see what was happening.”
The coach further added, “We will see how he pulls up today, we are really hopeful that he will get up and if he doesn't, then the obvious thing would be Marcus Harris would come in as an opener.”
He signed off by saying, “Will is a young guy, and he has just played his first Test. So, mentally he's going to be exhausted anyway. We will keep an eye on how he pulls up today. With shoulders, as long as he can bat OK and catch, it's not as big a deal in Test cricket, we're really hoping he will get up, we will probably know by tonight.”
(With PTI Inputs)
