Will Pucovski ruled out of fourth Test
Young gun Will Pucovski has been ruled out of the fourth Test against India in a blow to Australia's hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane.
Victoria's Marcus Harris comes into the side in the only change to the XI that drew the third Test in Sydney.
Will Pucovski will miss the fourth Test at the Gabba.Credit:Getty Images
He is the fifth opener Australia has tried in this series, highlighting the difficulties the hosts have had at the top of the order.
Pucovski gave a glimpse as to why he has been earmarked as a potential 10-year player on debut, striking a measured 62.
He was unable to prove his fitness after partially dislocating his shoulder in the field on Monday.
The youngster was already sore at the time and due to undergo scans before his fielding mishap.
Medical staff were on Thursday assessing how to manage Pucovski's recovery but coach Justin Langer suggested on Wednesday he could be out for several weeks.
Pucovski, 22, has endured a wretched run with injury, headlined by nine concussions in his short but promising career.
"Will Pucovski won't play tomorrow. He's tried to train this morning, didn't quite come up," Australia captain Tim Paine said.
"He'll have a bit of work to do with the medicos to see where he goes from here.
"There'll be some discussions around Will's recovery. What that looks like I'm not too sure at the moment. He's literally just had a fitness test then and didn't get up.
"Marcus Harris will come in, open the batting, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do."
Harris was on the cusp of selection at the start of the series but selectors opted to stick with an out-of-form Joe Burns and cast Matthew Wade into a temporary role as opener.
The left-hander was Australia's leading scorer in the 2018/19 campaign against India with 258 runs at 37 but has not worn the baggy green since the fifth Ashes Test in 2019.
His return comes after brilliant form in the Sheffield Shield, where he made 355 runs at 118 but was overshadowed by his state opening partner Pucovski.
"Harry's a no-fuss very good player, he's been working his backside off in our hub for a while now," Paine said.
"He's had huge numbers in Shield cricket and deserves his opportunity.
"We're looking forward to him going out and doing his stuff. He goes about his business, brings good humour and comedy to the team.
"He's a really relaxed type of character, he's someone who we enjoy having in and around our group, and someone we have full confidence in that if he gets in and gets a start tomorrow he'll cash in and make the most of it."
Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald