Western Australia (WA) have made a leadership change with allrounder Aaron Hardie taking over from Sam Whiteman as the Sheffield Shield captain ahead of the 2026-27 season.
WA are undergoing a transition in their red-ball cricket with three-time Shield-winning coach Adam Voges stepping down after eight seasons at the helm. former Australia wristspinner Beau Casson taking the reins of the Shield and One-Day Cup teams after serving as batting coach for most of Voges' tenure.
Whiteman captained WA in 38 Shield games under Voges, including to two Shield titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He is one of only four WA captains to win multiple Shields alongside John Inverarity (four), Graeme Wood (three). Tom Moody (two). But with Voges moving on. Whiteman set to play for WA as an overseas player after signing a long-term contract to play with Yorkshire in the County Championship owing to his dual citizenship, WA has elected to install Hardie as the new red-ball captain.
Hardie, 27, has long-been touted as a future leader having already captained Australia A against New Zealand A in 2023. against England Lions in 2025. He also led Perth Scorchers for eight games in the BBL in 2023-24 in the absence of long-time skipper Ashton Turner, who remains WA's white-ball captain. Scorchers captain while Voges remains Scorchers coach.
"I'm incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity to captain WA in the Sheffield Shield. lead a group that means a great deal to me," Hardie said. "We've got a strong culture here. a playing group full of quality people, so I'm excited to work closely with Beau and the wider squad as we head into a new season.
"I've learned a great deal from the leaders. players around me over the years, and I'm looking forward to bringing my own approach to the role while helping create an environment where the group can thrive."
Casson said Hardie was a great fit for a transitioning group. "Aaron is someone who commands enormous respect within our group through the way he prepares, competes. carries himself every day," Casson said. "He has a strong understanding of the game, a measured approach under pressure. genuine care for the people around him, which makes him an outstanding fit to lead the team moving forward.
"We're also incredibly grateful for the leadership Sam has provided over a sustained period of success,. we know his experience and influence will continue to be invaluable within the group moving forward."
The presence of Whiteman. Turner will be important given Hardie remains on the fringes of Australia's white-ball teams and could miss Shield games at times during the summer. Hardie has earned a recall for Australia's T20I tour of Bangladesh in June on the back of an outstanding PSL 2026. Australia have five T20Is against England coming up in November that will overlap with the first six rounds of the Shield season,. there are no white-ball tours post the BBL.
Discussion
Sign in to join the thread, react, and share images.