Former Australia opening batsman Will Pucovski retired from cricket at the age of 27 on Tuesday after a string of concussions, saying he would not risk "any more damage to my brain".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Free-scoring batsman Pucovski was earmarked for future greatness after he made his Australia debut as a 22-year-old in 2021, scoring an impressive 62 against India in the third Test in Sydney.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But it was to be his sole international appearance after he dislocated his shoulder while fielding in that match, one of a series of injuries and concussions that derailed his promising career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He has not played since March last year, when he was struck by a bouncer, and said Tuesday he was calling time on playing cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It can be quite difficult to see how can I get out to play professional sport again when I'm struggling to live my life how I want to," he told SEN sports radio on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I just don't want to risk doing any more damage to my brain than I've already done."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pucovski was pegged as a rising talent after forcing his way into a star-studded Victoria state team as an 18-year-old.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But he was susceptible to short-pitched bowling, suffering more than 10 concussions in his career and forcing a medical panel to recommend last year that he give up the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pucovski said he was still experiencing the effects of so many blows to the head.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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," he told SEN.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I really struggle with things on my left side. If I have things happening on my left I feel sick and dizzy. I struggle with motion sickness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I know what I was like before these concussions and I know what I am now.<\/p>\r\n\r\n