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After suffering
another concussion while batting earlier this month, Will Pucovski’s contract
to play for Leicestershire at the beginning of the northern summer has been
revoked. Pucovski is 26 years old.
Instead, for the first five games of the County Championship, Leicestershire
has signed Marcus Harris, the opening player for Australia. Harris was a member
of the team in 2021 and finished with 655 first-class runs at a 54.58 average.
Before being removed by a Riley Meredith bouncer in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield
match against Tasmania, Pucovski was about to play his first county cricket
match. Having suffered numerous concussions during his career, Pucovski was
substituted out of the game right away and hasn’t returned to action since.
Pucovski was first
signed by Leicestershire to fill in for South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
During the season’s first few games, Pucovski and Victoria teammate Peter
Handscomb were together.
“It’s a huge shame to lose Will at this stage, but his health must come
first,” Leicestershire’s director of cricket, Claude Henderson, said.
“Given the proximity to the start of the English season, it has been
agreed by all parties to allow him the necessary time to recover, and we want
to wish Will all the best as he continues to recuperate in Australia.
“Our recruitment team have been aware of the evolving situation, and we
have plans in place to ensure our team is as strong as possible heading into
the season. As such, we will be able to announce a new overseas addition
shortly.”
Pucovski has been
capped once in Tests for Australia, in 2021, and averages 45.19 in first-class
cricket, but has spent lengthy spells on the sidelines dealing with concussion
and in order to prioritise his mental health.