Cricket - Ponting praises Netherfield pro (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cricket - Ponting praises Netherfield pro

2:55pm Monday 16th February 2009 in

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NETHERFIELD Cricket Club professional Callum Ferguson drew fulsome praise from Australia captain Ricky Ponting after his maiden international half-century last Friday.

In a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Ponting was reported as saying that Ferguson's unbeaten 55 off 35 balls in the series decider against New Zealand was "full of class".

Ferguson came in to bat with Australia struggling at 71-4. He hit seven fours - three in a row off Tim Southee and he shared a 98-run fifth-wicket stand with Brad Haddin to lift Australia to 168-4.

New Zealand's run chase was eventually called off because of rain.

Ponting was reported as saying: "He (Ferguson) definitely looks the goods and someone that could definitely play a lot of cricket for Australia down the track.

"It's not an easy situation in batting for anybody let alone a guy who's only played a few games," Ponting said.

"But the thing I like about Callum right from the start is just he's always looked as though he's had a fair bit of poise about him.

"He's handled the pressure of every situation very well and I thought (Friday night's innings) was full of class."

Ferguson followed up by making his international 20-20 debut against New Zealand on Sunday in a thrilling one-day victory for the hosts.