The Vitality Blast brings Ashton Turner back to Durham

Ashton Turner is set to return to Durham for his third spell at the club, after signing a deal for the 2024 Vitality Blast.

The Australian international previously represented the club in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Turner is a proven leader and run-scorer with Perth Scorchers in the BBL. He returns to Durham having successfully captained the Scorchers to BBL success over the years and is currently representing Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

Turner joined Durham for the 2022 Vitality Blast season, but a shoulder injury sustained against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road limited his playing time to just 8 games.

The 31-year-old played in all 14 of Durham’s Vitality Blast matches last season. He scored two half centuries and collected T20 best bowling figures of 3-20.

His best knock came against Leicestershire when he hit an unbeaten 60* from 38 deliveries, while he scored an unbeaten 51* against Birmingham Bears.

The tall and powerful right-hander is a regular in the top four with the Scorchers, where he has scored over 2000 runs since making his debut against Melbourne Renegades in 2013.

Turner has played both formats of white ball cricket for Australia. In just his second game for the national side, he scored an unbeaten 84 from 43 balls against India.

In addition to his powerful top-order batting, Turner has taken 31 T20 wickets.

His best figures in domestic T20 are 2/3, and for Australia, they are 2/12, achieved with his right-arm off-break bowling.