As his first-class career started taking a stumble, unable to break back into Western Australia’s triumphant batting order, Ashton Turner made a conscious decision last year to focus on the shorter formats. It seemed to be a sagacious shift with Turner enjoying a spectacular recent BBL season, where he had a bounce back with the bat to lead Perth Scorchers’ title defence.
Even though his stock has been rising in the T20 format, underlined by being talked about as a captaincy replacement for recently retired Aaron Finch, 30-year-old Turner never wavered over his desire to again play for WA in the Sheffield Shield.
After some skepticism during a long exile from red-ball cricket, Turner’s determination and temperament manifested superbly with a drought-breaking century to lead WA’s stranglehold of the Shield final over Victoria.
Here is what Ashton Turner had to say about his reckoning display with the bat
In the ongoing finale, Ashton Turner had a crucial revelation after day 3 as he said, “Overnight the game was evenly poised. We knew the first session was going to be really important, so to be able to play a role in getting us in front of the game at stumps is very satisfying.”
He continued, “There’s definitely stages where I thought that my red-ball career had passed me by. I sat and watched us win the Shield last year and couldn’t poke many holes in that side.”
Turner further added, “Often when wickets have fallen, emotions are running high. [I] try to play on skill and I’ve got a game plan…try to stick to that as much as I could. Obviously you need to be adaptable to the conditions, but I’m really clear how I want to bat. It’s the opposition’s job to try and drag me away from the game plan.”
Ashton Turner managed to change the game around with his rollicking display
The Australian domestic veteran further continued, “I’ve had periods where I haven’t been scoring runs and playing well and not being picked in teams. In those moments, you try to go back to basics and go back to the process. I feel like I’m playing well and things are going my way. I try to stay as level as I can because when things aren’t going well I try not to beat myself up.”
He also added, “As a kid growing up in Western Australia, I was probably the last generation that grew up putting red-ball cricket on a pedestal. I watched many great West Australian teams but probably not produce the silverware they would have liked. To be part of a shifting of the culture and fortunes of WA cricket…it’s a goal we’ve had and built towards.”
Throwing a quick context about the Sheffield Shield finale, Victoria managed to pile up 195 on the cards as Ashley Chandrasinghe scored 46 from 280 balls while Matthew Short scored 36 to try and help his team in the battle. Lance Morris bagged 3 wickets to stand out.
However, Western Australia managed to smash around in the finest of manners as Aaron Hardie crisped in a crucial 45 while it was Ashton Turner who smashed an overwhelming 128 to propel his team to an advantageous position.
