Sam Harper and Will Pucovski: The two rookie Australian players have suffered multiple concussion injuries while playing cricket.
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During the tea break of the second day of the first Test of the ongoing India’s tour of Australia in Adelaide, host broadcaster Channel 7 put on display interviews of rookie Australia players in Sam Harper and Will Pucovski.
With an intention of laying emphasis on mental health especially around players who have suffered multiple concussions while playing, there couldn’t have been a better pair than Harper and Pucovski to interview.
Harper, who is currently playing the ongoing 10th season of the Big Bash League for Melbourne Renegades, was involved in a frightful collision with Hobart Hurricanes pacer Nathan Ellis in the last season of the tournament earlier this year.
In what was his second concussion injury, the first one had happened while representing Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match against South Australia in 2017.
Speaking to Channel 7 in the interview, Harper recollected his days in misery when he felt being in kindergarten. “19 years old and someone’s taking me to the toilet like I’m in kindergarten,” Harper said.
Sam Harper and Will Pucovski discuss agony of multiple concussions in cricket
Pucovski, on the other hand, would have made his Test debut in the first match against India had it not been for a concussion injury which he suffered while facing India pacer Kartik Tyagi in the first tour match.
The highly-rated 22-year old player has suffered similar injuries on what he calls a “doubt-digit figure” now. While Pucovski has received assurance/suggestions from the likes of Australia head coach Justin Langer and former Australia captain Ian Chappell, is vary of what multiple concussions injuries can do to a young player such as himself.
“The experts I’ve spoken to suggest having repetitive head knocks can impact your emotional regulation.” – Will Pucovski
“19 years old and someone’s taking me to the toilet like I’m in kindergarten.” – Sam Harper
An eye-opening interview with two great mates… pic.twitter.com/zjXOUVFNFJ
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2020
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