Sean Abbott shaken after hitting Will Pucovski with a vicious bouncer

It took Pucovski several minutes to get to his feet after the medical treatment.

New South Wales players rushed to Pucovski’s help (Pic. source: AAP)

New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott, who bowled the bouncer that struck and killed Phillip Hughes back in 2014, was visibly distress after accidentally hitting the helmet of Victorian batsman Will Pucovski during a Sheffield Shield match on Sunday (March 4).

Abbott bowled a short delivery that struck the helmet of Will Pucovski, forcing the Victorian batsman to retire hurt during the 19th over of the second innings at Junction Oval, Melbourne. After receiving some treatment, Pucovski was able to walk off the field with the aid of medical and physio staff.

The 26-year-old Abbott could not hide his emotions as it brought back the horrific memory of Phillip Hughes’ unfortunate death in November 2014. The late Hughes was hit on the neck at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Pucovski, 20, is regarded as one of Australia's most promising young talents. However, he has an unfortunate history of concussions, with the latest being his third concussion this season. In his first-class debut last summer, Pucovski had to miss three months of cricket after being hit on the head by an unlucky bounce while fielding. In October 2017, he was hit on the helmet while batting in the JLT One-Day Cup.

Hughes’ death at the age of 25 had taken Australia and world cricket by storm. According to coronial inquest, it was later deemed as an accident and no blame was attached to Abbott.  Ever since the tragedy, batting helmets have been improved to include more safety around the back of the head and flexible 'stem guards' to cover the part of the neck.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 04 Mar, 2018

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