Will Pucovski suffers another concussion after stumble while taking a run

Will Pucovski has suffered another concussion after stumbling while taking a run playing for the Cricket Australia XI against England Lions at Metricon Stadium.

The incident, which took place on Pucovski's 22nd birthday, occurred when his bat got stuck in the turf as he went for a quick single. He was helped from the ground and retired hurt, later failing a concussion test, and was subbed out of the match. Medical staff will continue to monitor Pucovski, who was named captain for the three one-day matches, over the coming days.

Pucovski's career has been impacted by a number of concussion issues, stemming from a blow he took while playing football at school, which led to him needing to take six months away from sport. He has been struck in a variety of ways including from a wild throw, while batting at training, and from hitting his head on a door at home.

One of the concussions he suffered also came on his 19th birthday in 2017 when he was making his first-class debut for Victoria and was struck on the head in the field when a delivery jumped off the outfield. He missed the rest of the season and at the start of the following summer was again struck, this time while batting in the one-day competition, and suffered delayed symptoms then in March 2018 was hit during another Sheffield Shield match.

Earlier this season, Pucovski was close to making his Test debut against Pakistan before withdrawing from contention during the Australia A match in Perth for mental health reasons. He returned to play for Victoria in late November and during the Big Bash has been turning out in club cricket and leading the Victoria 2nd XI.

The opening one-day match went the way of England Lions as Sam Hain struck an unbeaten 122 and added 154 for the fourth wicket with Laurie Evans (94) after the Lions had slipped to 3 for 32 in their chase. Dan Lawrence helped seal the win with an unbeaten 50 off 40 balls.

Earlier, the Queensland and Brisbane Heat batsman Max Bryant had slammed 102 off 60 balls in a power-packed start to the match as he dominated the Lions attack. The score was 127 when Bryant fell to legspinner Mason Crane in the 18th over and a short while later Pucovski was forced to retire hurt. The Lions hauled the innings back impressively to restrict the CA XI to 8 for 281 as the spinners, Crane and Lawerence, went for just 79 in their 20 overs