Will Pucovski ends century drought in Sheffield Shield comeback

Will Pucovski has marked his Sheffield Shield comeback with a seventh first-class century - and first in more than three years - after grinding to triple figures against NSW at the SCG.

The 26-year-old took a quick single to bring up the milestone off 258 balls on Sunday, hitting just five boundaries in the patient knock against an attack featuring Test spinner Nathan Lyon.

It was his first Shield hundred since November 2020 for the man long touted as a future Test star.

Pucovski, who made his sole Test appearance for Australia in January 2021, was back in the side after recovering from an 11th concussion late last month.

Following opener David Warner’s recent Test retirement, it was a timely reminder of Pucovski’s class and poise in just his 35th first-class match since debuting in 2017.

He took time away from the game in 2022 for mental health reasons but has played five Shield matches for the second-placed Bushrangers this season.

Pucovski put on exactly 200 with Peter Handscomb (114), who was out chasing quick runs in the final over before lunch on day three.

With Pucovski unbeaten on 102, the visitors were 3-361 and in a commanding position after Nic Maddinson’s blazing 108, featuring five sixes, on Saturday.

The Blues, less than a point behind Western Australian in fourth on the ladder, made 252 in their first innings behind Jack Edwards’ 99.