Ashton Turner will return to Durham for a third spell at the Club, after signing a deal for the 2024 Vitality Blast.
The Australian international will re-join up with Durham having represented the Club in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
A proven leader and run scorer with Perth Scorchers in the BBL, Turner returns to Durham having successfully captained the Scorchers to BBL success over the years and is currently representing Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.
Turner originally joined Durham for the 2022 Vitality Blast season, but a shoulder injury sustained against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road prevented Turner from having a full run throughout that summer: playing just 8 games for Durham.
The 31-year-old played in all 14 of Durham’s Vitality Blast matches last season, scoring two half centuries as well as collecting T20 best bowling figures of 3-20.
His best batting performance came against Leicestershire with an unbeaten 60* from 38 deliveries, while he scored an unbeaten 51* against Birmingham Bears.
The tall-powerful right hander is a regular in the top four with the Scorchers where has scored over 2000 runs since making his debut against Melbourne Renegades in 2013.
Turner has played both formats of white ball cricket for Australia, which included an unbeaten 84 from 43 balls against India in just his second game for the national side.
In addition to his powerful top order batting Turner has taken 31 T20 wickets with a best of 2/3 in domestic T20 and a best of 2/12 for Australia with his right arm offbreak bowling.
On returning to Durham, Turner said: “I’m looking forward to returning to Chester le Street for another season in the Blast.
“We have underachieved over the last couple years but combining the confidence that some success in red ball cricket brings with some exciting new signings and hopefully more player availabilities, this year we can be extremely ambitious.
Director of Cricket, Marcus North added: “It is great to news to have Ashton returning to Durham this season.
“During his two spells at the Club, he has demonstrated vital leadership skills and fits into our dressing room very well.
“He is a proven leader and run scorer having captained the Scorchers and Western Australia to multiple championships in recent years. I look forward to him returning to the Club in May.”