<p>Australia opener Will Pucovski has been all but ruled out of the first Ashes test next month as he continues to battle concussion symptoms.</p>.<p>Pucovski, who has a history of concussion problems, was struck by a ball while training for Victoria nearly a month ago.</p>.<p>Victoria coach Chris Rogers ruled him out of this week's Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales and said he was a major doubt for the Ashes opener against England in Brisbane on Dec. 8 after not recovering as well as hoped.</p>.<p>"In discussions with the medical team and national selectors, it was felt that we'd give him a bit more time before he's selected to play for Australia," Rogers told reporters on Wednesday.</p>.<p>"No doubt it's a setback — I'd say now it's unlikely he'll play in the first test.</p>.<p>"If we do play a third Shield game in mid-November, and there might be a second XI game for Victoria as well, that might prepare him for one of the matches in the middle of the Ashes series.</p>.<p>"That's the best-case scenario at the moment."</p>.<p>The recent training blow was the 10th concussion of Pucovski's career.</p>.<p>The shaggy-haired 23-year-old made his long-awaited test debut against India in Sydney in January but suffered a shoulder injury in the match and was replaced by opener Marcus Harris for the fourth test in Brisbane.</p>.<p>Australia test captain Tim Paine has tipped Harris as the 'frontrunner' to partner long-time opener David Warner against England if Pucovski proves unfit, but Queensland captain Usman Khawaja is also a chance after scoring two consecutive tons in the Shield last month.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
<p>Australia opener Will Pucovski has been all but ruled out of the first Ashes test next month as he continues to battle concussion symptoms.</p>.<p>Pucovski, who has a history of concussion problems, was struck by a ball while training for Victoria nearly a month ago.</p>.<p>Victoria coach Chris Rogers ruled him out of this week's Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales and said he was a major doubt for the Ashes opener against England in Brisbane on Dec. 8 after not recovering as well as hoped.</p>.<p>"In discussions with the medical team and national selectors, it was felt that we'd give him a bit more time before he's selected to play for Australia," Rogers told reporters on Wednesday.</p>.<p>"No doubt it's a setback — I'd say now it's unlikely he'll play in the first test.</p>.<p>"If we do play a third Shield game in mid-November, and there might be a second XI game for Victoria as well, that might prepare him for one of the matches in the middle of the Ashes series.</p>.<p>"That's the best-case scenario at the moment."</p>.<p>The recent training blow was the 10th concussion of Pucovski's career.</p>.<p>The shaggy-haired 23-year-old made his long-awaited test debut against India in Sydney in January but suffered a shoulder injury in the match and was replaced by opener Marcus Harris for the fourth test in Brisbane.</p>.<p>Australia test captain Tim Paine has tipped Harris as the 'frontrunner' to partner long-time opener David Warner against England if Pucovski proves unfit, but Queensland captain Usman Khawaja is also a chance after scoring two consecutive tons in the Shield last month.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>