MELBOURNE: Former Test batsman Will Pucovski has confirmed his retirement from cricket at the age of 27 as the Australian continues to battle concussion symptoms more than a year after being struck by a ball in a domestic match, saying he would not risk `any more damage to my brain`.

The free-scoring Melbourne native was once seen as the future of Australian cricket after he made his Test debut as a 22-year-old in 2021, scoring an impressive 62 against India in the third Test at the SydneyCricket Ground.

But it was to be his sole international appearance after he dislocated his shoulder while fielding in that match, and was never able to break back into the squad due to repeated instances of concussion.

Pucovski confirmed to radio station SEN on Tuesday that he was still suffering symptoms more than a year after being hit in the helmet by a delivery from Tasmania fast bowler Riley Meredith in a Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.`From there it`s been a tough year, a lot of the symptoms didn`t go away, which has led me to this decision,` said the former Victoria number three, who has battled headaches, dizziness and lethargy.

`It`s unfortunately gotten to a stage now where a year or so down the track [I am] still suffering, still don`t really have the answers I have been looking for in terms of why I am still getting these symptoms, and it`s come time to make this decision.

`It can be quite difficult to seehow can I get out to play professional sport again when I`m struggling to live my life how I want to. I just don`t want to risk doing any more damage to my brain than I`ve already done.

Pucovski was pegged as a rising talent after forcing his way into a star-studded Victoria state team as an 18-year-old.

But he was susceptible to shortpitched bowling, suffering more than 10 concussions in his career and foreing a medical panel to recommend last year that he give up the game.The setback he suffered against Tasmania was the 13th known instance of concussion over his career.

While on the cusp of playing test cricket, Pucovski withdrew himself from selection several times to manage mental health problems linked to concussion.

`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. `I really struggle with things on my left side. If I have things happen-ing on my left I feel sick and dizzy. I struggle with motion sickness.

`I know what I was like before these concussions and I know what I am now. My family and friends have noticed a difference in me and that`s scary for me and for them.

He said his next move would be in coaching with his local team, the Melbourne Cricket Club, which would help soften the blow of never playing again.

`I am 27 and hopefully I have a good life ahead of me,` he said.-Agencies