Hussey backs Ferguson for Baggy Green

He’s spent three-and-a-half years in the international wilderness, but Callum Ferguson’s second coming should happen now, according to Test legend Mike Hussey.

Ferguson, who currently sits equal-second on the Bupa Sheffield Shield run-scorers list with 324 (level with Queensland’s Joe Burns, and trailing Peter Handscomb’s 348), has already made two centuries in three Shield matches in the 2014-15 season, and averaged 56.5 across seven matches in the competition last summer.

“Callum Ferguson is someone who has really played some consistent cricket and is ripe for the picking,” Hussey told news.com.au.

“He’s coming into about 30 years of age. He’s a bit more mature, he’s got a strong understanding of his game, he’s got the runs on the board.”

Ferguson, who turns 30 tomorrow (Friday), has played 30 ODIs, averaging 41.43 during a successful stint in the Australia one-day set-up between February 2009 and April 2011.

Since, he has fallen out of favour, but Hussey believes the Redbacks batsman would perform capably in the Baggy Green.

“He’s been very consistent over the past three seasons, where I think he’s been averaging in the 50s and 60s,” he said.

“He’s scored runs away from the Adelaide Oval, which is a good sign as well. He’s not just scoring runs at home at the generally batting-friendly Adelaide Oval pitch.”

And with question marks over captain Michael Clarke's fitness, Shane Watson still to return from injury, and the constant pressure on 37-year-old Chris Rogers to perform or face calls for his axing, there has rarely been more speculation over the make-up of Australia’s batting order coming into a home summer.

Consequently, Ferguson’s red-hot form couldn’t have come at a better time, despite the fact that his 20s have now passed him by.  

“At 30 years of age, people might say, ‘Oh, he’s too old’,” added Hussey.

“But I got picked at 30 years of age and was able to have an eight-year career.

“Even if he played for five years, that’s a really long career. That’s over 50 Test matches these days.

“He could do a really good job for Australia.”