Pomersbach to skip domestic cricket this season

Luke Pomersbach has said he will not take part in any domestic tournaments for Western Australia this season because of "health and well-being" reasons. His announcement comes a day after he missed a practice match, prompting Western Australia to initiate an investigation, with the possibility of taking disciplinary action.

"Over the past month I have been battling personal issues which have greatly affected the commitment I have made as a member of the Retravision Warriors squad," Pomersbach said. "It would therefore be in the best interests for myself, my team-mates, and WA cricket as a whole to step down from the state squad and the Perth Scorchers' Big Bash League team to concentrate on my well-being. I hope to one day return to the elite level if the chance presents itself."

Western Australia Cricket Association chief Graeme Wood said the organisation supported Pomersbach's decision. "I commend Luke for making such a brave career choice," he said. "His health is of paramount importance and we will continue to work with Luke and the Australian Cricketers' Association to look after his well-being."

The WACA had said in a statement that it would be investigating Pomersbach's disciplinary breach. "The Western Australian Cricket Association is looking into a disciplinary breach by Luke Pomersbach, who failed to attend an intra-squad practice match at Stevens Reserve in Fremantle, scheduled to commence yesterday. The WACA will be making no further comment until the matter has been fully investigated and finalised."

Pomersbach, who turns 27 this week, has a history of transgressions. He was suspended by Western Australia in August 2009, when he avoided a jail sentence after admitting to assaulting a police officer who was trying to arrest him for drunken driving. Tom Moody, the coach at the time, had said Pomersbach was on his last chance.

Earlier in 2009 Pomersbach had been suspended and fined after failing to show up for a club match. In 2007, Pomersbach and Shaun Marsh were suspended indefinitely after a late-night drinking session in the lead-up to a state match. While Marsh, who is now part of Australia's Test team, credited the ban as the wake-up call he needed, Pomersbach's disciplinary issues continued.

Pomersbach made a surprise debut for Australia in a Twenty20 match against New Zealand in Perth in December 2007, after Brad Hodge suffered a back spasm before the match. Pomersbach has not played for Australia since and has been in and out of the Western Australia side over the past few years.