Will Pucovski Retires at 27, Citing Ongoing Effects from Multiple Concussions Former Australian batter Will Pucovski has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 27, citing serious and lasting concerns over his brain health following a series of concussions throughout his career. Pucovski, once considered one of Australia's brightest batting prospects, played a single Test match for his country in January 2021, scoring a promising 62 against India at the SCG. However, he dislocated his shoulder later in that match, ruling him out for the remainder of the series. That injury was just one in a series of setbacks during a career heavily impacted by health issues. In total, Pucovski suffered 12 documented concussions—many of them the result of blows to the head from short-pitched bowling. His final professional appearance came in March 2024 during a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Tasmania, where he was struck by a bouncer from fast bowler Riley Meredith. Following the incident, he experienced what he described as "scary" and lingering symptoms. Speaking to Australian radio station SEN, Pucovski said, “I just don't want to risk doing any more damage to my brain than I've already done. At 27, I have so much ahead of me and so many things I still want to achieve in life. I had hoped to play cricket for another 15 years, and to have that taken away is hard enough—but what’s even harder is dealing with the ongoing symptoms." He added that the changes in his mental and emotional wellbeing had become increasingly noticeable. “I know what I was like before these concussions, and I know what I’m like now. My family and friends have noticed a difference in me, and that’s frightening—not just for me, but for them too.” Despite the early end to his playing career, Pucovski is already looking ahead to the next chapter. He has been appointed head coach of the Melbourne Cricket Club, the team with which he made his senior debut in 2015. The club competes in Victoria’s Premier Cricket competition. His decision has drawn widespread support from the cricketing community, with many praising his courage in prioritizing his long-term health and well-being.