“Devastated” to hear about the latest concussion endured by Will Pucovski, Australia Test skipper Tim Paine on Friday admitted the setback to the young opener is a “big blow” to the side ahead of the Ashes series in December.

Pucovski was struck on the head during a training session last Tuesday, leading to the 10th concussion of his nascent career. “It’s not ideal, no doubt,” Paine told SEN Radio. “Shattering when I found out. I’ve spoken to him a bit the last few days, he’s improving slowly, I don’t think it’s as bad as some of the others he’s had before.