Durham signs Australian Ashton Turner for the Vitality Blast T20 campaign

Turner will be back with Durham after breaking through last year in the national T20 competition with a dislocated shoulder. He replaces Tristan Stubbs who will not join Durham after his recent call-up for South Africa A’s Sri Lanka tour but will not captain the side this time around as Alex Lees will wear the captain’s armband during the blast.

As the veteran captain and run scorer for the Perth Scorchers of the Big Bash League, Turner returns to Seat Unique Riverside after another outstanding summer in Australia, where he led the Scorchers to their fifth BBL title.

His 47 balls unbeaten from 84 in the semis, aided by 53 in the finals, earned him player of the game in both games in a season in which he averaged 42 and hit 381 runs in four half centuries.

Turner hasn’t just excelled in white ball this summer, he posted a career-best 128 against Victoria and helped Western Australia win the Sheffield Shield season with a triple trophy win.

The tall, burly right-hander is a regular top-four for the Scorchers, where he has tallyed over 2,000 runs since making his debut against the Melbourne Renegades in 2013.

Returning to Durham, Turner said: “I’m delighted to be working with Durham again on this year’s Blast campaign.

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“We have an exciting squad and have high expectations of the group this year. Hopefully we can achieve some success and have fun along the way.”

Turner has played both formats of white ball cricket for Australia, and in just his second game for the national team, had an unbeaten record of 84 from 43 against India.

In addition to his powerful shot at the highest level, the 30-year-old has also taken 26 T20 wickets with his off-break right-arm bowling, with a best of 2-3 in the domestic T20 and 2-12 for Australia.

Durham Director of Cricket Marcus North said: “It is great news to have Ashton return to Durham this season. He joins us after an outstanding season for Perth Scorchers and Western Australia where his experience and leadership once again came into play.” was again for all to see. I look forward to him joining the Durham before the blast.”

Durham begins their T20 season with an away game against Northamptonshire this Friday before heading to Headingley to face Yorkshire on Sunday.