Turner 'hopeful' of T20 Blast return as Tye dominates debut

Western Australia allrounder Ashton Turner is hopeful of returning to action at the back end of England's T20 Blast after suffering another shoulder injury in Durham's season opener.

Turner collected two wickets and had hit an unbeaten 21 off seven balls when he was forced to retire hurt after dislocating his shoulder while diving for a single in their match against Chris Lynn's Northamptonshire last Friday.

Fortunately, the 29-year-old appears to have so far escaped a fifth shoulder operation and will remain with Durham for the rest of the season, which runs until July 17.

The right-hander has had a scan on shoulder and is expected to see a specialist in the next few days.

"Turner currently faces a spell on the side lines and has begun a process of rehabilitation with the Durham medical staff," the club said in a statement.

"He will regularly be assessed … and will be available for selection once he has returned to full fitness."

Turner, who led the Perth Scorchers and WA to KFC BBL and Marsh Cup titles last summer, had also been handed the Durham captaincy for the 2022 T20 Blast season, with young local left-arm spinner Liam Trevaskis taking the reins while he remains on the sidelines.

His 27-game international career has so far been hampered by four right shoulder reconstructions, including three in as many years between 2017-2019, after first hurting the joint playing football when he was 17.

West Australian teammate AJ Tye was rushed into Durham's XI to replace Turner for last night's match, which they won by 48 runs against Worcestershire.

Tye, who is fresh off a stint with Lucknow Super Giants in this year's Indian Premier League, collected 3-27 from four overs in his Durham debut.

The veteran right-armer, whose 256 career wickets places him fourth on the list of Australia's most prolific T20 bowlers, will be the club's second overseas player alongside South African David Bedingham until Turner regains his fitness.

"There are still lots of games to play and having lost Ashton Turner to injury we were keen to act quickly on a replacement," former WA and Australia veteran turned Durham Director of Cricket Marcus North said.

"He has an impressive T20 record both at international level and domestically and we are looking forward to getting straight into action."

The 35-year-old took 25 wickets last summer in BBL|11, including 3-15 in the final against Sydney Sixers, which was five behind the tournament's top wicket-taker Peter Siddle.

Durham's next game is on Saturday morning Australian time against Yorkshire at Headingley.

Australians in 2022 English T20 Blast

Birmingham: Nathan McAndrew

Derbyshire: Hayden Kerr

Durham: Ashton Turner

Essex: Daniel Sams

Glamorgan: Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser

Gloucestershire: Marcus Harris

Hampshire: Nathan Ellis, Ben McDermott

Lancashire: Tim David

Middlesex: Jason Behrendorff, Chris Green

Northamptonshire: Matthew Kelly, Chris Lynn

Nottinghamshire: Dan Christian, James Pattinson

Somerset: Peter Siddle

Sussex: Josh Philippe