Ferguson makes positive steps in comeback

Callum Ferguson is not expecting to be rushed back into Australia's one-day side for their tour of India, despite a strong start to his comeback from a knee reconstruction. Ferguson missed nearly a full year after wrenching his knee while fielding in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Centurion last October.

His first high-level comeback match came during South Australia's win over the Lions in their Champions League opener on Sunday. Ferguson made a quick 47 off 27 deliveries to help the Redbacks to victory, which left him with some more positive memories of SuperSport Park, ironically the venue for his return.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say it didn't cross my mind at some stage [to be at the same ground]," Ferguson said. "Once you get out there everything else falls into the background and you really do concentrate on competing. It was fantastic to have a win but also to get through the game with the knee still intact.

"It was obviously a long 11 or 12 months but it was fantastic to get back out there and be under the pressure of a full-on competition again with my team-mates. To have a win was nice icing on the cake for us. It was fantastic to get back out there with the boys."

Ferguson's injury was especially disappointing last year as he was just establishing himself as a promising batsman in Australia's ODI side. In 25 one-day internationals during 2009, Ferguson posted five half-centuries and averaged 46.07, settling in well at No. 5 or 6.

Australia will be keen for Ferguson to slot back in at some point during the coming summer, although October's three ODIs in India might be too soon. He has only the Champions League and a couple of early-season domestic fixtures for South Australia before the tour to impress the selectors.

"I'd love to [play] but it's a matter of selection and also me being able to prove that I can back up day after day and make it through a full series," he said. "I'm hoping I'll be able to do that in this tournament and fingers crossed my body holds up well. At this stage it's going really well. I'm not holding my breath on getting selected in that team, but it would be really nice."