record-breaker callum ferguson is hoping his form for worcestershire rapids this summer can help rekindle his international career with australia.
ferguson made the best start imaginable to his stint at New Road by smashing 192 in tuesday’s royal london one-day cup clash with leicestershire foxes.
it was table-topping worcestershire’s highest individual list a score – beating compatriot tom moody’s 180 in 1994.
ferguson is relishing his first stint of county cricket but, at 33, is refusing to write off the chances of playing for his country again ahead of friday’s next one-day cup match with nottinghamshire at trent bridge.
he averages 41 from 30 odis and has taken heart from the call-up for the likes of chris rogers and adam voges by australia in their mid 30s in recent years and knows more performances like against the foxes can only help his cause.
ferguson said: “i played 30 odis and had a good time of it in international cricket. i really enjoyed my time. i haven’t played as much in recent years as i would have liked.
“but it’s certainly something i’m keen to get back to and i’m hoping playing over here, getting some experience in the uk and making some runs as well might help my case.
“i had a great start, in what was a great run chase by everyone, and the ovation i got when i came off the ground will stick long in the memory.
“certainly playing 12 months of a year gives you the opportunity to keep making runs and that is something i am keen to do.
“generally, if you are playing in a winning side as well, people take note a little bit more.
“i’m only 33 and we’ve seen in recent years that australia haven’t shied away from picking players out of domestic competitions of a similar age like chris rogers, adam voges, shaun marsh.
“it is really exciting to see that and always gives you a little bit of hope of ‘make the runs and you are going to get rewarded.’”
ferguson brings with him 14 years experience of playing for south australia and stints in some of the world’s major t20 tournaments including the big bash and ipl
ferguson said: “county cricket is something i wanted to do for a long time and i was eyeing coming over a few years ago when i was 24-25 and suffered a knee injury.
“that didn’t eventuate and i just haven’t been able to get over here since until now. my manager worked really hard to find me some cricket and it has worked out.
“i’m really thankful to everyone at worcestershire for giving me the opportunity.
“i was looking to come over and spend the summer in the uk anyway so it was a good fit. i knew travis was here, and steve magoffin, whom i played with and against a bit.
“i also knew coxy (ben cox) and ross (whiteley) when they played club cricket in adelaide but everyone spoke highly of the place.
“it just seemed a good fit. in the past i had i spoken to phil hughes about worcestershire and he was very complimentary of the place when he was at south australia.
“it is something i’m really excited about. it’s a young exciting group who have been fun to be around but also played some great cricket.”
