WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Joe Leach is relishing seeing Callum Ferguson playing all three formats of the game for the county when the experienced Aussie batsman returns to New Road this weekend.
Ferguson made a massive impact last summer for the Rapids in the Royal London One-Day Cup and the Vitality Blast.
He had a debut to remember when hitting Worcestershire’s highest-ever List A score of 192 as the Rapids overhauled a 377 target against visiting Leicestershire – their biggest successful 50-over run chase.
But equally important was Ferguson’s cool and composed 64 not out in the Blast quarter-final win over Gloucestershire at a tense New Road.
It enabled the Rapids to reach finals day for the first time and ultimately win the T20 tournament, although the 34-year-old had flown back home by then for a winter campaign with South Australia.
Now Ferguson is returning for the bulk of the 2019 campaign as Worcestershire’s overseas player and will also be available to perform in the Specsavers County Championship.
He was fourth top scorer with 442 runs in this winter’s Big Bash playing for Sydney Thunder but also has an impressive record in red ball cricket.
Leach said: “Callum made a massive impact in white ball cricket last summer and his magnificent knock on his debut against Leicestershire set the tone for the period he was here.
“His coolness in seeing us over the line in the Blast quarter-final, when you could sense the nervousness amongst everyone in the ground, was equally superb.
“He also fitted in with the group of lads really well and it’s been the same at present with Hamish (Rutherford). It will be exciting to have Fergie back with the experience he brings and I’m looking forward to seeing him perform in all three formats.
“It’s also nice to have an overseas player of Callum’s quality for a lengthy period of the season, something that is not easy these days regarding overseas players.”
Ferguson will be available for the One-Day Cup match against Nottinghamshire at Blackfinch New Road on Wednesday (May 1).