Australian batter Will Pucovski has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the age of 27, bringing an end to what was once considered a highly promising career. Pucovski’s decision comes after years of struggling with recurring concussions, the most recent of which occurred during a Sheffield Shield match in March 2024. Playing for Victoria, Pucovski was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet by a bouncer from Riley Meredith, a blow that led to long-term health complications. Also Read: Virat Kohli Smashes Bumrah for Six on His IPL 2025 Return Speaking to SEN Radio on Tuesday, April 8, Pucovski confirmed that he would not return to the game. “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,” he said. He described how the aftermath of his latest concussion impacted his everyday life and ultimately pushed him toward this decision. “In the couple of months post that, I struggled to get anything done. Walking around the house was a struggle. My fiancée 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.” ‘It’s frightening’: Pucovski opens up on long-term impact In 2023, an independent medical panel had already advised him to step away from cricket following a previous concussion. But at the time, Pucovski said he wasn’t ready to let go. “In my head, I didn’t want to make an official call until I was symptom-free. When you’re struggling, it’s hard to make a huge decision. The medical panel recommended I retire and that was really difficult to come to terms with.” He added that while he tried to hold on to his cricketing dream, but the toll on his health had become too much. “There probably wasn’t a moment that I thought ‘This is the day’ but things haven’t changed. I wanted to hold on to the dream as long as I could but the flip side to that is you want to feel better and live your life normally. I just don’t want to risk doing any more damage to my brain than I’ve already done.” Pucovski also detailed the frightening long-term symptoms he continues to experience. “It’s complicated. There’s the mental health symptoms, which is one part of it. Then there’s the fatigue, which is quite bad, I get regular headaches. I really struggle with things on my left side. If I have things happening to my left, I feel sick and dizzy. I struggle with motion sickness.” He further added: “Before these concussions, I know what I was like. My family and friends have noticed a difference in me and that’s scary — for me and for them.” Pucovski, who made his Test debut for Australia in the 2020/21 series against India at the SCG, scored 62 and 10 in what would remain his only appearance in the Baggy Green. Over his first-class career, he played 36 matches and scored 2350 runs at an average of 45.19, including seven centuries.