Hogg tips Turner as potential leader

FORMER Test spinner Brad Hogg reckons Ashton Turner has what it takes to captain Australia in the future.

Turner cracked a matchwinning 70 off 32 balls to guide the Perth Scorchers to a thrilling five-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades on Monday night. Hogg copped some big punishment from Turner, who cracked the 46year-old for consecutive sixes in the 17th over.

Turner (pictured) is already vice-captain of Western Australia, and he has played three T20s for Australia.

The 24-year-old has been in strong form this summer, with national selectors keeping a close eye on his progress.

Turner also bowls some handy spin and was mentored by Hogg earlier in his career.

Hogg said the sky was the limit for Turner.

“He’s one that I think is capable of captaining Australia,” Hogg said. “I think he’s got a very good cricket brain.

“I think he’d do a very good job when Mitch Marsh is not here captaining the State team as well.”

Turner will be back in action tonight when the Scorchers take on the Sydney Thunder at Spotless Stadium.

The Scorchers are in the box seat for a home final after starting their season with five wins from their first six games.

But with Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye now joining Australia’s ODI squad, the Scorchers’ pace stocks are running thin.

Englishman David Willey (ODI duties) will also miss the rest of the season, with the Scorchers recruiting Tim Bresnan to help fill the void.

The return of Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft from international duties will add some crucial firepower to the team’s batting stocks.