Hero of the India ODI tour earlier this year, Ashton Turner has injured his finger while training for Western Australia ahead of a Marsh match in Sydney.
The injury, which medical officials say will put him out for four-six weeks, will rule Turner out of upcoming T20 matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Turner was an integral part if the surprise Australian series victory in India in March, but lost his spot in the world cup side when Steve Smith and David Warner returned. Turner injured his shoulder in a Big Bash game on Boxing day last year and the injury continued to worsen while in India, eventually effecting his bowling and fielding.
Turner also opted out of the Australia-A tour of the UK to undergo surgery and hope to return for the Twenty20 World Cup later this year.
Known for his big-hitting and rabid running between the wickets, Turner is a known favourite of Australia coach Justin Langer.
"He's such a great athlete, it puts so much pressure (on the opposition)," Langer told cricket.com.au.
"One of the hallmarks of great Australian teams, you think about Dean Jones and Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey, is the running between (wickets).
"It's a basic (skill) but we've also been talking about getting players who can finish off (an) innings and he's shown that … in Big Bash cricket. He's in great form.”
Langer also noted Turner’s leadership.
"You see the way he finishes off an innings that he's a good thinker of the game, like most of the great finishers. And he's a really good leader (and a) good person around the group. I'm very excited to see him come in.”
While the injury is a setback, it will not rule the big Western Australian out of the world cup squad.
