BBL 2024: Perth Scorchers Announce Aaron Hardie As Their Captain For The Remaining Season As Ashton Turner Gets Injured

Defending BBL champions Perth Scorchers announce emerging all-rounder Aaron Hardie as their skipper for the remainder of the BBL 2023-24. He will replace Ashton Turner who will miss the rest of the BBL season after suffering a meniscus tear in his right knee.

Perth Scorchers have won the previous two seasons of the Big Bash League and are on the road to a third straight title-winning campaign. Even after having Ashton Turner injured, they are the favorites to lift the title with three straight wins. Newly announced skipper, Aaron Hardie is coming after a match-winning knock against Hobart Hurricanes scoring 85 off 45 balls while chasing a target of 173.

“One of our great strengths is we’re comfortable using that experience and knowledge to make the team better as a collective. I’m sure the whole squad will remain focused and united to give us the best chance of winning another title,” the 24-year-old said.

Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges was confident that his side would fill the void of Ashton Turner in the team. Ashton Turner has been magnificent with the Perth Scorchers leading them to two consecutive BBL titles and scoring a half-century in two back-to-back finals.

“Clearly, losing AT is disappointing, but his injury presents an opportunity for Aaron to display his leadership skills during the tournament. We have long viewed Aaron as a leader of promise. He will have plenty of support from those around him – the coaches, vice-captain Josh Inglis, and the rest of a very experienced playing squad.

We have full faith the group will rally around Aaron and attack the rest of the season with the same intensity and focus that has brought us success in recent years,” Voges said.

Perth Scorchers Have Won The BBL Title Two Consecutive Times

Perth Scorchers have played in three consecutive finals under Ashton Turner, winning two of them consecutively. They lost to Sydney Sixers in the 2020-21 season and then defeated them in the 2021-22 finals. The Perth Scorchers again won the title in the last season (2022-23) when they defeated Brisbane Heat in the finals.

Currently, Perth Scorchers are third on the BBL table with two wins in three matches and one match ended with No result. They have accumulated five points in three matches and are just behind Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers on the table. They have players like Zak Crawley, Aaron Hardie, Mithcell Marsh, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Inglis, and Jhye Richardson in the squad.

Mitchell Marsh is currently not available in the BBL as he is with the Australia National Cricket Team for their three-match Test series against Pakistan. He was the Player of The Match against Pakistan in the first Test which was played in Perth. The BBL has no matches scheduled for Sunday and Monday i.e. 24th and 25th of December with regards to the Christmas holidays.

Perth Scorchers will host a winless Melbourne Renegades at the Optus Stadium in Perth on the 26th of December. The same day Australia and Pakistan will clash at the MCG for the second Test of the three-match series.