worcestershire head coach kevin sharp has paid tribute to the contribution made this summer by callum ferguson who has played the last game of his current spell at New Road.
ferguson is flying home early next week to begin preparations for the domestic season with south australia which starts in just over three weeks.
he has made a telling impact for the rapids in both the royal london one-day cup and vitality blast and played a full part in their success in white ball cricket.
his final appearance came in saturday’s blast quarter-final with gloucestershire when he scored a crucial unbeaten half century to help seal a finals day spot at edgbaston on september 15.
sharp is delighted that ferguson will be returning to New Road from may 1 next summer – after his wedding and honeymoon – for the majority of the campaign.
he said: “callum is leaving in the next few days to go back to australia. we wish him well back home and look forward to seeing him back here next year.
“callum, we knew his track record in australian cricket and he has been a revelation for us.
“he started to play in the 50 over competition, coming a bit earlier than initially planned (for travis head) and made some fantastic contributions and it’s been the same in t20.
“he loves the game of cricket, he is a mature man, a skilful player, he just fitted in so well and is a good bloke.
“we are delighted we’ve been able to secure him for most of next season. it was a no-brainer really.”
the county have so far used four overseas players in travis head, callum ferguson, martin guptill and wayne parnell this summer – with ravichandran ashwin earmarked to arrive next month.
sharp said: “these days with overseas players, there are so many comings and goings with different tournaments.
“this year we’ve been to-ing and fro-ing all of the time but we’ve managed to secure players and also get some fine contributions from them.
“in that respect the overseas player scenario has also been a revelation. they’ve all done well.”
