The Perth Scorchers have yet another injury concern on the eve of BBL|14 with Ashton Turner suffering a side strain playing for Fremantle in WA Premier Cricket on Saturday.
The Scorchers captain, who missed most of BBL|!3 due to a knee injury, was forced to retire hurt when batting on 36 from 40 balls.
Turner sustained the injury while attempting a sweep shot. It’s expected he’ll undergo scans early this week to determine the extent of the injury.
The timing is bad with the Scorchers playing the season opener in a fortnight’s time against the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium on Sunday 15 December.
Perth are already expected to be without Cooper Connolly (hand) and Ashton Agar (AC joint), severely impacting their middle-order line-up.
Josh Inglis’ availability is also unclear having been named in an extended Test squad for the upcoming second Test in Adelaide.
The third Test in Brisbane clashes with Round 1 of BBL, with Inglis potentially released to play for the Scorchers if he’s not in the final XI.
The injury crisis has thrust the likes of Nick Hobson, Matthew Spoors and Englishman Matthew Hurst into contention to play in Round 1.
Hobson is currently in Abu Dhabi playing in the T10 League while Hurst is with the England Lions in South Africa.
Spoors was in action for Scarborough on Saturday, taking 1-11 from 11 overs before finishing the day unbeaten on 0* batting at six.
Sam Fanning is another contender to come into the side, albeit he’s a top-order batsman, and he managed 106 from 184 balls opening for Perth on Saturday.
In Fremantle’s game where Turner got hurt, unsigned batsman Sam Whiteman reminded the Scorchers hierarchy of his quality with 100 from 113 balls.
View our predicted Round 1 Perth Scorchers’ line-up
