Will Pucovski was just 12 years old when he was first spotted by Melbourne Cricket Club recruiters.
The talented youngster attended a junior practice session with good friends Sam and Jack Harper, whose father – Brian Harper - was a long-time great of the Club.Although he was undoubtedly much younger than the usual recruiting age of early teens, Pucovski’s ability quickly caught the eye of Doug Patrick, former MCC Cricket Chairman and long-time member of the MCC’s talent ID programs.
Patrick described the young Pucovski as “electrically good” during that first session.
“His footwork, his balance and just his organisation – he was 12 years old and he was terrific.”
“I remember saying ‘you beauty, I think we’ve found the next MCC Test player’. You can’t help yourself saying something as crazy as that when you see someone special.”
Ten years later, that hopeful premonition would become reality.
Will receives his baggy green. Photo: Ryan Pierse/ Getty Images.
Although he had been on the cusp of selection in the Australian team for a number of years, it was the beginning of the 2020/21 Sheffield Shield that saw the name Pucovski catapulted into the headlines.
The Sheffield Shield has long been a happy stomping ground for Pucovski, who first represented Victoria in the 2016/17 competition. In October 2018 his score of 243* against Western Australia at the WACA saw him become just the ninth player in Sheffield Shield history to score a double century before his 21st birthday, and only the second Victorian to score a double century against WA.
But it was his double centuries in the 2020/21 season which saw him gain national attention. Scoring 255* against South Australia – and also setting up a new Sheffield Shield partnership record of 486 runs with Marcus Harris– followed by a stellar 202 the following match, Pucovski was the first batsmen since the 1997/98 season to score consecutive double hundreds.
It didn’t take long for his name to be linked to a potential test debut in the summer.
With a resume of 1,816 runs from 24 first class matches at an average of 53.61, it isn’t hard to see why.
Will batting in the 2020 Sheffield Shield. Credit: Kelly Defina/ Getty Images.
Attending Brighton Grammar, Pucovski shone amongst his peers, captaining the school’s First XI.
But it was at the 2016/17 U19 National Championships that Pucovski really started to stand out. After breaking the competition’s previous runs records of 568 runs, Pucovski was named Player of the Championship – finishing with 650 runs from eight innings, include four consecutive hundreds.
Since being recruited at a young age, it didn’t take Pucovski long to make his Victorian Premier Cricket debut in October 2012 and his First XI debut in the 2014/15 season, along with then-captain, Andrew Kent.
“I was captain for his First XI game for Melbourne against the Monash Tigers. He played well – he made 27 runs and it’s funny because I ran him out,” Kent said.
To date, Pucovski has played 74 games for the MCC with a total of 2,462 runs – including eight centuries – at an average of 48.27. His highest score of 165 came in the 2016/17 season.
Even off the pitch, Pucovski has already made a lasting impact on the MCC.
MCC Cricket Coach, Ben Vague said that Pucovski is much loved amongst the playing group, and everyone was excited watching him play for Australia.
“The playing group are so proud that one of their own is representing their country at the highest level,” Vague said.
“Will’s such an invested person in the MCC and the boys that play for the club. We’ve all ridden the highs and lows with him.”
Kent also recognised Pucovski as a great leader and contributor to the club.
“He always has a smile on his face, always celebrates his teammates’ success and has been selfless. He’s everything you could possible want from a cricketer or person of your club.”
The junior development academy is now named the Will Pucovski Academy – a fitting tribute to a dedicated club person.
Former chairman on the MCC Cricket section, Michael Sholly, said Pucovski was the perfect person to relate to the young, upcoming talent.
“He was perfect because, even though he hadn’t played for Australia at the time, he was still young and he was well identified in the area.
“We knew he would still be able to identify with young people, and he’s such a calm, sensible person and a great role model,” Sholly said.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Pucovski.
A series of concussions – including most recently just one month prior to his debut for the Australian Test team – have created hurdles for his cricketing career.
However they are hurdles he has been able to jump time and time again, according to Vague.
“Will’s public mental health battles have been well publicised and we have a really close bond - we have created a really safe space with one another where we can talk about anything to each other. It’s not really a coach-player relationship, it’s more like we’re great mates – it’s like he’s my little brother,” Vague said.
“I think it shows the type of person that he is. Will has shown significant resilience and mental toughness to prepare himself at the highest level.
Will celebrates his 50 on debut at the SCG Test. Credit: Saeed Khan/ AFP via Getty Images.
An impressive debut, Pucovski made 62 in his maiden test innings, however for those who know Pucovski, it was a joyous, yet nerve-wracking day.
“I cried when I found out he had been selected to be honest. I did shed a tear just because I knew how much it meant to him and just what he went through to get to that point,” Vague said.
“But I was horribly nervous to start, but then I was just so happy watching him bat. It was just pure joy.”
Patrick echoed Vague’s thoughts, calling it a “euphoric” feeling whilst MCC Cricket Chairman, Peter King, said Pucovski’s debut left little doubt in the minds of those watching.
“I was very nervous for him – I was just desperate for him to succeed.
“But he was in control of things and played beautifully. It was a great debut and I think there’d be nobody who watched that and would have any doubts about his ability to play at that level.”