Ashton Turner is set to be ruled out of contention for Australia's upcoming T20 internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan after breaking a finger at training with Western Australia.
The WA star batsman and vice-captain is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after breaking a finger on his right hand at training ahead of the state's Marsh One-Day Cup clash with the NSW Blues in Sydney.
Turner, who has been a consistent performer with the Perth Scorchers and had a breakout series with Australia's limited-overs squad in India earlier this year, had been expected to be figure high in Australia's plans for the two Gillette T20 International series that open the men's home summer from October 27.
WACA Sports Science Sports Medicine Manager Nick Jones said Turner could expect to be sidelined until at least November with the injury.
"Ashton sustained a fracture to his right index finger at training this week," Jones said.
"After reviewing the injury with specialists, he will require a period of approximately four-six weeks before being able to return to play."
It's a cruel blow for the big-hitting batsman, who has a burgeoning reputation for finishing an innings in explosive style.
Turner has had more than his share of injury troubles in recent years, including four separate operations on a troublesome right shoulder he last injured in the KFC Big Bash League on Boxing Day last year.
Turner was able to delay surgery on that latest injury to see out the summer as a batsman only and was still able to push his way into Australia's limited overs squad.
He announced himself to the world with a monumental performance in an ODI run-chase in Mohali, where he struck six sixes and five fours in a 43-ball knock of 84 to guide Australia to a successful chase of 359.
But his shoulder injury prevented him from bowling and also limited his ability in the field. Combined with the returns to Australia's top six of Steve Smith and David Warner for the World Cup, it meant Turner ultimately missed out on a spot in the World Cup squad.
He also opted out of the winter's Australia A one-day tour of the UK to have surgery and had made a successful return to action with WA, striking 52 in the opening Marsh Cup game against Victoria.
Disappointed to have missed out on the 50-over World Cup this year, Turner would be desperate to be included in Australia's plans for next year's 20-over tournament on home soil.
Justin Langer is an unabashed fan of Turner and knows the batsmen well from his time coaching in the west. He has previously highlighted the right-hander's ability to finish off an innings with the bat and create pressure with his speed between the wickets.
"I remember when Mike Hussey came into Australian cricket, the thing that almost got him a shot in the one-day side was his running between his wickets," Langer said when Turner was called up to the Australia team earlier this year.
"That might sound like the dumbest thing you've ever heard. But you watch Ashton Turner, the way he runs between wickets is unbelievable.
"He's such a great athlete, it puts so much pressure (on the opposition).
"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.
"He can finish the innings off well, he's an elite athlete in the field and he's also a captain.
"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."
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ash...alia-sri-lanka-pakistan-t20-series/2019-09-30
