Callum Ferguson

Callum Ferguson has signed a new contract with Sydney Thunder for BBL 07. One of the biggest moves of the winter. But alas he has a minor quadriceps injury. People have to wait to see his magic. Injuries and Callum Ferguson have a long and frustrating relationship. Callum Ferguson was selected for the 2004 Under-19 World Cup. Earmarked pretty early as an international batsman. He was supposed to be the cynosure of all eyes. But those eyes were made to wait as Ferguson suffered a knee injury and had to miss the biennial event.

Five years down the line, the middle order batsman had tasted ODI cricket. When he came out to bat in his fifth game, his average read 102. Bradmanesque indeed. But the baby faced assassin had another setback. Australia rejoiced on a October night in 2009 as they retained the Champions Trophy but Ferguson writhed in pain as another knee injury shut him out from cricket for the next year or so. His average was around 46 from 25 games.

He did come back but the international outings were limited and he did not make the cut for the 2011 World Cup, an event for which he was a certainty.

But not someone who believes in giving it up. The man from Adelaide decided to fight it out. South Australia reaped the benefits of a batsman who was determined to turn it around and win a place back in the Australian side. His run charts in the Sheffield Shield after having last played in colored clothing for the Aussies are like this:

2011-2012 - 486 runs from 8 games at 32.40.
2012-13 - 639 runs from 9 games at 39.93
2013-14 - 565 runs from 7 games at an average of 56.50
2014-15 - 836 runs from 10 games at an average of 52.25
2015-16 - 478 runs from 5 games at an average of 53.11

Having averaged over 50 in the last three seasons in Australia's premier competition, it was certain the selectors would take note of it and they did. Australia were trailing 0-1 against the touring South Africans and an SOS call was made to Callum Ferguson. He debuted in the second Test at Hobart and Australia were trounced by an innings and 80 runs. The South Australian managed 3 and 1. He was ignored for the next Test and his domestic season also fell down to unseen lows. He averaged 25.35 from 11 games having failed in his only chance at the top-level after almost 5 years.

In between he had a tryst with IPL as well. He played for Pune Warriors in 2011 and 2012 and needless to say had an unsuccessful end to it. At the BBL after being a lynchpin for Adelaide Strikers, he moved to Sydney Thunder for the 2017-18 season.

By Kumar Abhisekh Das