Callum Ferguson says he feels closer to a national recall than the end of stellar career

Callum Ferguson admits his ego took a hit when he was dropped for the last round of the Sheffield Shield. But he still has the fire in the belly and says he feels closer to an international one-day recall than retirement.

Callum Ferguson feels closer to an international one-day recall than retirement. Picture: Simon Cross

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Callum Ferguson feels closer to an international one-day recall than curtains on a stellar career despite “frustration and disappointment’ at his shock first-class demotion.

Ferguson dominated the white ball for Worcestershire, South Australia and Sydney Thunder before finishing an injury-plagued Sheffield Shield summer as the casualty of a serial wooden spoon unit.

National coach Justin Langer is unlikely to fit Ferguson in a 15-man World Cup squad that includes Steve Smith and David Warner but the veteran remains in Australia’s one-day mix.

“I feel like my white ball cricket has been going at a rate of knots. At the end of the season JL said I am close,” Ferguson told The Advertiser.

South Australian batsman Callum Ferguson at his bar Stone's Throw in Norwood. Picture SIMON CROSS

Ferguson has eight one-day tons and eight half centuries while averaging 55 at a strike rate of 100 from his last 43 white ball innings for South Australia and Worcester.

“It is nice to be in the conversation because I am still hungry for it,” noted Ferguson who smashed a club record 192 on debut for Worcester against Leicestershire last May.

“I feel like in a lot of ways my cricket is going in the right direction.”

Time is ticking at the elite level but Ferguson, 34, remains inspired by a 40.3 first-class average since his first knee reconstruction in 2010 and Adam Voges’ Test call up at 35.

“I will be playing for a while yet, as long as I am at the level that there is a chance of playing international cricket, ” said Ferguson, averaging 41 over 30 one-day games for Australia.

“Vogesy didn’t debut until he was older than I am now.

“If I have a big county season and start the season well with the Redbacks and win us a few games you never know. I feel like I have a lot to offer any of those short form sides and the Test side if I got the chance.”

Callum Ferguson leaves the field after being dismissed by Hilton Cartwright of Western Australia during another frustrating Redbacks Sheffield Shield season. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Ferguson was tipped for a Test recall against India last summer but hurt his back in a weight training mishap before the opening Shield round against New South Wales. A torn calf muscle then sidelined the elegant batsman who returned to strike a ton over 243 balls against Tasmania in late November on a Hobart green top.

A top-four finish on the BBL run aggregate for Sydney Thunder preceded a form dip as the Redbacks fell apart at the back end of the Shield season.

Ferguson, with a season average of 24, was dropped along with Tom Cooper.

“It made me frustrated angry, disappointed, in a lot of ways. One of the biggest things was not being in those teams to help turn it around, winning games can help you through a winter,” said Ferguson, due to wed partner Rhiannon Eglinton on Saturday.

“Obviously your ego takes a hit. That is part and parcel of the game and I have been around long enough to know you ride the wave.

“I have a County season to focus on, get over it. After the last game I had a beer with the guys, wanted to make sure everyone knew I still wanted to be part of it.”

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The use of Dukes balls on pace-friendly pitches after Christmas caused carnage with only Marcus Harris, Matt Wade, Cam Bancroft and Nic Maddinson averaging over 40. Travis Head averaged 39.2, Jake Weatherald 29 and Ferguson 27 while no other Redback averaged over 25.

Ferguson was switched from No.3 to No.5 with Jake Lehmann before dropped in a move that didn’t work for either batsman.

“Moving to No.5 was telling me they were seeing other guys a better chance of playing Test cricket and I can wear that.” said Ferguson.

“I had a chance, it doesn’t mean I agree with it but understand it.”

Having resumed from a second knee reconstruction Ferguson was given one Test against South Africa in November 2016 before discarded in callous fashion by panicky selectors. He “won’t be bitter’ about hard knocks, instead focusing on elusive silverware with South Australia.

“That keeps the light burning deep within me,” said Ferguson.