Indian Premier League: Ashton Turner sets duck record as Steve Smith plunders another half century

Overlooked for Australia’s World Cup shot in June, Ashton Turner has now entered the IPL record books for reasons he’ll quickly want to forget. But it wasn’t all bad news for the defending world champions.

Overlooked for Australia’s World Cup shot in June, Ashton Turner has now entered the IPL record books for reasons he’ll quickly want to forget.

The luckless 26-year-old registered his third successive IPL golden duck in the Rajasthan Royals’ six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals - to set an unwanted T20 world record.

The West Australian, who starred in Australia’s ODI series win over India, became the first player to make five successive ducks.

Turner fell without scoring for Australia against India in February which was preceded by another scoreless innings in the BBL for Perth Scorchers against Sydney Strikers.

But it wasn’t all bad news for the Aussie contingent.

Steve Smith has continued his good IPL form with the bat to register his second successive half-century since being restored as captain to help the Royals build a daunting total of 6-191.

Ajinkya Rahane, who was relieved of the captaincy last week after his side won only two of their first eight games, scored a brilliant 105 of just 63 balls.

But Smith’s departure for 50 when he miscued a long-hop from Axar Patel and was caught on the boundary by Chris Morris slowed down the Royals’ progress.

Smith was dismissed by the opening ball of the 14th over with the score at 2-135.

Ben Stokes (8) soon followed and Turner joined him quickly back in the pavilion.

Riyan Parag then exited for four as the Royals only added 57 from their final 6.5 overs, largely down to some fine bowling from Kagiso Rabada (2-37).

Steve Smith was among the runs again for the Royals.

The Ricky Ponting-coached Capitals cruised to their imposing total with four balls to spare after a quickfire 54 from veteran Shikhar Dhawan set the platform for Rishabh Pant to guide his side home.

The exciting young batsman-keeper, who was controversially left out of India’s World Cup squad, smashed four sixes and six fours in his unbeaten 78 that took the Capitals to the top of the table.

“We thought we didn’t finish off well when we were batting and they pulled things back with Rabada and Morris in the death overs,” Smith said.

“We couldn’t quite get hold of their bowlers. The wicket played well throughout, one of the best in the tournament I thought.

“They took our bowlers on in the powerplay and Shikhar Dhawan played a magnificent knock. Pant is a young lad and he did a terrific job as well for them.”

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