4:50pm Tuesday 24th February 2009
AUSTRALIAN batsman Callum Ferguson will not be returning to Netherfield Cricket Club for a second year as professional.
The Northern League club have resigned themselves to the fact that the 24-year-old record-breaker will be engaged on the international scene after making an immediate impact on his one-day debut at that level.
Ferguson's performances after his call-up to Australia's one-day squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Series against New Zealand drew praise from Australia skipper Ricky Ponting.
The right-handed showed he could live with top-level pressure when he made a maiden half-century in the rain-shortened series decider at the Gabba in Sydney.
On a wet night, he came in with Australia at 71-4 and hit seven fours - three in a row off Tim Southee - and even outscored in-form opener Brad Haddin.
The ebullient pair added 58 off the last four overs to lift Australia to 168-4 before New Zealand's run chase was ended due to rain.
Afterwards, Ferguson gained his first international Twenty20 cap in Australia's thrilling one-run win over New Zealand, making eight runs and taking a catch.
Netherfield committee member David Otway said the hunt for a replacement for Ferguson was well under way: "We have drawn up a short-list of people were are interested in, but there's nothing definite as yet, but we would hope to make an announcement within a couple of weeks."
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