Nic Maddison and Will Pucovski, the two Australian cricketers, had recently taken a break from the game due to mental health-related issues. Both of them have now been named in Victoria’s squad for the upcoming Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales, which is scheduled to take place on Friday (November 29th). Glenn Maxwell, another Victorian batsman who opted out owing to the ongoing mental health-related problems hasn’t been named, although Maxwell returned to cricket with a grade game for Fitzroy Doncaster.
Every one expected Will Pucovski’s name to be in Australia’s squad for the recently concluded Brisbane Test against Pakistan. He was penciled in to receive the Baggy Green cap, but withdrew on the eve of the squad announcement, with what is said to be a recurrence of the mental health issues that have dogged the 21-year old’s career.
Nic Maddinson as started the season by scoring double-century (224) against South Australia and smashed a half-century against Tasmania, and he had also excused himself from the ‘A’ team that played against Pakistan in a day-night practice game at the Perth stadium, but Maddison recently made a comeback in a Victoria Premier Cricket match for St. Kilda.
Cricket Victoria General Manager of Cricket Shaun Graf said: “We are looking forward to having Nic and Will back playing for Victoria after receiving clearance from our medical staff, We’ll continue to support all our players through their return to play.”
Australia’s limited-overs captain, Aaron Finch said “I think everyone’s learning about (mental health) and it’s a case-by-case scenario.” in Melbourne today (November 27).
“It’s not a hamstring injury that you can treat the same way for everyone. It’s a really valuable lesson – the timings of things change case by case. It’s a chance to make sure everyone is treated in the right way in their best interests, and they get the best help,” he added.
