WA white-ball captain Ashton Turner in the frame for Sheffield Shield recall after century in intrasquad game

WA’s white-ball captain Ashton Turner is firmly in the frame to earn a recall into the State’s Sheffield Shield side in the early stages of the domestic red-ball season.

Concurrent overseas assignments for both Australia and Australia A will leave WA’s middle-order batting stocks particularly light of experience in the early stages of their campaign.

All-rounder pair Cam Green and Cooper Connolly and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are part of the squad for a three-Test series against South Africa, while WA’s newly-appointed red-ball captain Aaron Hardie will miss the first shield game due to duties with the developmental side in India.

Turner pressed his claims to feature in the shield for the first time since March 2025 by starring in a two-day intrasquad practice game at the WACA Ground last week, compiling a fine century at a rate better than a run-a-ball.

On Saturday, WA’s new coach Beau Casson said the 33-year-old veteran — who captains both WA’s One-Day Cup side and Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League — had been a constant presence in their newly-redeveloped facilities over the off-season.

“We’ve even got our experienced players like Ashton Turner we’re actually trying to kick out of the four walls and saying ‘you need to go home and recover’,” Casson told the ABC.

Turner was overlooked for selection in the shield side for the entirety of last summer as WA finished at the foot of the ladder for the second season running.

His most recent first-class appearance came during a stint in England’s County Championship with Lancashire in July of last year, when he helped his side to a win over Derbyshire by scoring 121 not out.

WA will begin their shield season at the WACA against Queensland on October 8.

Emerging fast bowler Mahli Beardman also featured in the red-ball scratch match, but Casson said Cricket Australia’s high-performance staff would have a major say in whether the 21-year-old speedster builds towards a Sheffield Shield debut in the coming months.

“Once he comes back from his tour over in India (with Australia A), we’ll get a lay of the land in terms of where they see him from an Australian perspective,” Casson said.

“I’m very excited for what he can do and hoping to see him, selfishly, in WA colours more often than not, but unfortunately, our hands are tied in that space.”

Jayden Goodwin — who has played 24 shield games for the State to go with only two One-Day Cup appearances — put forward his case for a place in the 50-over team by managing a century in an internal white-ball practice game late last month.

Goodwin’s hundred came after opener Sam Fanning did the same two days earlier, while newly-contracted batting pair Will Malajczuk and Tom Murray were also in the runs across the pair of hit-outs.

WA will host two One-Day Cup games next week, against South Australia on Friday and Tasmania on Sunday.

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