Aaron Hardie has been appointed as the captain of Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield team for the 2026-27 season. The 27-year-old succeeds Sam Whiteman in this role.
In the recently concluded 2025-26 Sheffield Shield, Hardie played seven matches, scoring 436 runs with an average of 33.53 and taking seven wickets. As an all-rounder, he will be crucial for Western Australia under new Head Coach Beau Casson, especially after the team’s last-place finish this past season.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity to captain WA in the Sheffield Shield and lead a group that means a great deal to me. We’ve got a strong culture here and 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 and 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,” Hardie said on the WA Cricket website.
Hardie has big shoes to fill, as Whiteman steps down after leading the team to two red-ball tournament wins in 2022-23 and 2023-24, along with winning the One Day Cup in 2023-24 while substituting for an injured Ashton Turner.
Although stepping down as captain, Whiteman will remain with the WA team next summer. Meanwhile, Turner will continue as the captain of the 50-over side and also lead the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.
Hardie made his International debut for Australia in 2023 and has become a regular in their white-ball teams. He has been included in the T20I squad for the upcoming tour to Bangladesh. As of now, he has played 15 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Australia.