Cricket Australia has dropped a bombshell just hours before announcing its squad for the first Test math of the Summer.

Young star Will Pucovski has asked not to be considered for the team “due to matters pertaining to mental wellbeing”.

The 21-year-old batsman was in line to make his Test debut and has been described as a prodigy, having made as many junior runs as Ricky Ponting.

Pucovski reported the issue to team management in Perth on Tuesday evening where he is playing in the Australia A tour game against Pakistan.

Cricket Australia revealed the situation in a statement on Thursday morning, with EGM of National Team Ben Oliver saying, “we applaud Will for having the courage to discuss his situation”.

He’s the third top-level player to take a step back from cricket due to mental health issues, with Glenn Maxwell and Nic Maddinson both making their battles public.

Alan Jones says, “There’s something not right happening at the moment in Australian cricket”.

“I’ve been in sport at this level for a long time. I don’t understand this,” says the former Wallabies coach.

“The inside word is players are frustrated with the mixed messages and lack of communication from selectors. Whether that’s the issue, I have no idea.”

Click PLAY below to hear Alan’s comments in full

National selector Trevor Hohns will address the media at 2pm (AEDST) to announce the Australian Test squad for the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba.

Image: Getty/Paul Kane