Image Credit- Getty
With captain Ashton Turner sidelined for the duration
of the competition due to knee surgery, Perth Scorchers’ BBL title campaign has
taken a serious hit.
Turner bowled one delivery against the Hobart
Hurricanes on Wednesday before hobbling off the pitch, but the original
diagnosis had sounded quite optimistic. He will not play in current BBL
campaign, though, as he had surgery on Friday morning to repair a meniscus tear
in his right knee.
“The incident saw him leave the field and take no
further part in the match, with subsequent scans revealing surgery was
required,” a Scorchers statement said. “An exact timeframe for
Turner’s return will be determined in due course.”
Turner missed the final two Sheffield Shield games for
Western Australia prior to the BBL break due to his knee issue, which he had
been nursing throughout the season. Although it’s known that surgery has always
been planned, Scorchers had hoped to get him through the tournament.
The Scorchers are currently debating Turner’s
successor as captain, and a choice will be taken prior to their Boxing Day
matchup against the Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium.
The official vice-captain of Australia is wicketkeeper
Josh Inglis, although other players, such all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who took
over as captain against the Hurricanes when Turner walked off, may also be
taken into consideration.
Turner won a AU$178,000 IPL contract during Tuesday’s
auction with the Justin Langer-coached Lucknow Super Giants. The competition is
scheduled to begin on March 22.
With two victories from three games, Scorchers, who
are going for a hat-trick of championships, are presently ranked second in the
standings. A hazardous ground forced the cancellation of their season’s opening
match against the Renegades in Geelong.