Turner’s unwanted piece of T20 history

Australia batsman Ashton Turner has created an unwanted piece of cricket history, scoring his fifth consecutive T20 duck in the Indian Premier League on Monday.

Playing for the Rajasthan Royals under the captaincy of countryman Steve Smith, the 26-year-old Western Australian was dismissed without scoring against Delhi Capitals – his third-consecutive golden duck – when he was caught off the bowling of Ishant Sharma.

It followed ducks in Rajasthan’s matches against Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, making him the sixth batsman to record three consecutive ducks in the IPL.

His previous two scoreless innings came in the first T20I between Australia against India in Visakhapatnam in late February – he also played the second match of the series but wasn’t required to bat – and for Perth Scorchers against Adelaide Strikers in the KFC BBL on February 9.

But it hasn’t all been bad news for Turner during that time – called in to replace an injured Marcus Stoinis in the fourth ODI against India in Mohali in early March, the big-hitting batsman struck a brilliant 43-ball 84 against India, helping Australia pull off a record 359 run chase.

Turner just missed out on Australia's World Cup squad earlier this month, overlooked when the 15-player squad was named on April 15.

"Given the depth of talent and competition for spots there were a number of tough calls we had to make to settle on our squad of 15," selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, from the recent squad which toured India and the UAE, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner and Kane Richardson have made way for the above inclusions, but all three have been included in the Australia A squad for the tour of England.”

Rajasthan Royals are seventh on the IPL table, with three wins from 10 matches.