 "Australia's Will Pucovski walks from the field after he was dismissed against India. Image: AP")
In a heartfelt decision, Australian cricketer Will Pucovski has announced his retirement at the age of 27, bringing an early close to his career. Pucovski, who played a single Test for Australia in 2021 against India, confirmed on Tuesday that he will no longer play cricket at any level, citing persistent symptoms stemming from multiple concussions.
His final appearance in competitive cricket came in March 2024 during a Sheffield Shield match, where he was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet by a bouncer from Tasmania’s Riley Meredith.
Why Will Pucovski announced shock retirement at 27?
“I’m not going to be playing cricket again. It’s been a really difficult year, to put it as simply as possible. The simple message is, I won’t be playing at any level again. In the couple of months post that (last concussion) I struggled to get anything done, walking around the house was a struggle,” Pucovski told SEN.
The talented Victorian batter has battled a series of concussions throughout his career. He described the months following his last head injury as “horrendous,” with lingering symptoms disrupting even the simplest daily routines.
“My fiance was annoyed because I didn’t contribute to chores. I was sleeping a lot. From there it’s been a tough year, a lot of the symptoms didn’t go away, which has led me to this decision. The first few months were horrendous, but things didn’t leave me.”
After extensive medical assessments, a specialist panel advised him to step away from the game permanently. Cricket Victoria issued a statement acknowledging Pucovski’s situation and confirming it had been in regular dialogue with him and his management.
“We have been actively involved with Will since his debut in 2017 and remain committed to working on the next steps with he and his team,” the statement read.
Despite the abrupt end to his playing days, Pucovski is already going for a new path in his career. He has been appointed head coach of Melbourne in Victoria’s Premier Cricket competition and has also joined Channel Seven’s cricket commentary team.