Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner not disappointed Josh Inglis not released

Returning Perth Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner says there is no disappointment about Josh Inglis not being released from Test duties to play against Melbourne Stars on Sunday.

Inglis is among Australia’s extended Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar series but was not selected to make his debut in soggy Brisbane.

It meant there were hopes the dynamic West Australian keeper would be allowed to fly back to Perth to play in the BBL curtain raiser as he did for a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney last week.

However, selectors deemed sticking with the squad was better long-form preparation.

While frustrating for fans, Turner said he was just happy to see his teammates pushing for international selection, saying their squad was strong even without Inglis.

“At the end of the day, we want to see our teammates get picked to play for Australia and be in international squads, and we’re really proud of Josh,” he said.

“The opportunities are in front of him, and we’d like to see him playing Test cricket as soon as possible, and whatever the selectors think is the best preparation for him, then so be it.

“We probably have a couple of guys who, when we sit down and do list management in the off-season, we sort of expect there’s a high probability they’re not going to be there and a part of our squad for extended periods, and he’s one of those guys.

“We’ve put together a strong playing XI in his absence.”

Turner will play his first Big Bash match since December 20 last year after overcoming a rib complaint.

“It was about jumping through a few hoops, really, and I was able to do that well. So, I feel confident coming into this campaign,” Turner said.

“I think everyone has had relatively limited preparation, considering shield cricket finished a couple of days ago, but I feel as prepared as anyone and can’t wait to get this campaign started.”

The Scorchers will also be able to call on spinning all-rounders Cooper Connolly and Ashton Agar, who appear to have shaken injury clouds, to be named in the 14-man squad.

Connolly has recovered from a hand fracture suffered in an ODI against Pakistan, while Agar has fought soft-tissue concerns.

“They’re going well, and they’ve been named in the squad,” Turner said.

“They’ll be selectable, I think. They’ve had a little bit of different preparation, I think. They haven’t been playing cricket over the last couple of weeks, but they’ve participated in training this week and, as a result, have been considered fit for selection.”

The Scorchers skipper refused to give any clues as to the make-up of the pace battery, with the Scorchers having a full armoury of spearheads, including Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson, to choose from.