AUSTRALIAN Callum Ferguson made a sensational debut for Worcestershire Rapids with 192 in the sensational six wicket win over Leicestershire yesterday.
Ferguson smashed his way to the highest score in a one day game by a Worcestershire batsman, beating Tom Moody’s 180 against Surrey in the 1994 NatWest Trophy semi-final at The Oval.
Ferguson replaces his South Australian team-mate and captain Travis Head who has joined up with his country for the forthcoming ODI Series with England.
He is available for the second half of the North Group programme and any potential quarter-final and semi-final and will also return for a block of Vitality Blast games next month.
Ferguson has quickly slotted in with his new team-mates and is looking to make an impact for his adopted county.
He said: “It’s exciting. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into it. Everyone has been really welcoming.
“I’ve trained for a few weeks with the team now and, now with Travis going away, hopefully I can fill his boots.
“Initially I was going to be part of the second half of the T20 competition, which I was really excited about, and it’s great be able to get a few one-day games in as well.
“Hopefully we can do the right thing in the early rounds and then play in the final stages as well.”
Ferguson added: “Something I’ve been hoping to do for a long time now is play some county cricket. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
“I was planning on coming over a few years ago when I was playing for Australia but I had to then have 12 months out of the game with a knee injury.
“During that period they changed the rules and by the time I was fit again I’d lost the number of international games required to qualify.
“I’ve been trying really hard to get the opportunity to come over here to play and, having played international cricket recently, I’m now qualified again.
“I jumped at the chance to get involved with Worcestershire,” he added.
Head coach Kevin Sharp said: “Callum has been here two or three weeks now, has been training around the group so he has got to know the lads and is not coming in as a stranger.
“When I have seen him practising here, he looks very organised and has a solid technique and I’m sure he will do very well for us.
“Travis is a left-handed bat who looks to dominate an attack and Callum has got good credentials and I’m sure he will have his plans for whatever the game situation is
Skipper Joe Leach said: “Callum has fitted into the group seamlessly. We are excited. He’s a man with plenty of experience, plenty of class as well as being of international calibre.
“It’s a shame for us to lose Travis a little bit earlier than we anticipated but we’ve a more than capable replacement.
“He comes with a really good reputation and we are really excited to see what a player of his quality can do.”