Cricket, like any other sport, tests the patience, character and perseverance of the cricketer to the hilt. The long format, especially, exposes a player to the rigours like no other form of the game can. It puts them in a spot and also teaches how to react to adversity. Adversity can come in various forms. It can come via hostile pitch, relentless bowling attack, match-situation or when someone gets injured while batting.

In Will Pucovski’s case, adversity came in the form of the ball hitting his nuts, not once, not twice but on three different instances during a Sheffield Shield fixture- Victoria vs New South Wales. The 21-year-old is touted to be Australia’s next batting sensation after having impressed in the limited games that he has played for his state team and Australia U19.

Will Pucovski has a compact technique. When he stands on the crease, he looks like a concrete wall nonchalantly scoring runs at his own pace. But, apart from all his skill-related attributes, it was his temperament and character when the youngster- after getting hit on the nuts on three different instances- continued to bat for his state team, that stood out.

Will Pucovski battled with the pain and scored a patient 82

Pucovski, who was earlier named in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series last summer had withdrawn from the set-up due to his mental health issues. The talented batsman gave another account of his precocious skills and character as he endured all the pain and blunted the New South Wales attack to the tune of 82 off 257 balls. His knock enabled his team to make a strong comeback after the opposition had posted 294 in their first innings.

In the past, we have seen multiple instances of cricketers defying all their pain and injuries for the sake of their team. Who can forget the sight of an Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw during India’s historic Test win in the West Indies in 2002 or when Graeme Smith came out to bat with a broken hand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a bid to save the Test match for his side? Pucovski battling with all the pain and batting for his state team is another example in the long list of such bravado moments.

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Not once, not twice, but thrice! It's been tough going for Will Pucovski today 🥜

A post shared by cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) on Nov 30, 2019 at 5:50pm PST