Australia international Aaron Hardie has been named the captain of Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield team ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The 27-year-old takes over the responsibility from Sam Whiteman. 

Hardie played seven matches for Western Australia during the recently-concluded 2025-26 Sheffield Shield, scoring 436 runs at an average of 33.53 and also taking seven wickets along the way. The all-rounder will have a huge role to play in Western Australia’s new era under Head Coach Beau Casson after the side finished last in the Sheffield Shield this year.

“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,” Aaron Hardie was quoted as saying on the WA Cricket website. 

Hardie will have huge boots to fill come next season, with Whiteman stepping down from the captaincy role, having previously won the red-ball tournament twice, in 2022-23 and 2023-24, along with the One Day Cup title in 2023-24, where he stood in for the injured Ashton Turner.

Despite stepping down from captaincy, Whiteman will remain part of the WA side next summer. Turner, on the other hand, will continue to captain the 50-over side whilst also leading the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. 

Hardie made his international debut with Australia in 2023 and has since become a consistent member of their white-ball setup.