Ferguson pushes case with another big ton

Callum Ferguson has strengthened his claims for an unlikely international recall with another stunning innings overnight, hammering an unbeaten 159 as Worcestershire beat Northamptonshire in the One-Day Cup in the UK.

Ferguson has been in blistering touch since marking his debut for Worcestershire last week with a record-breaking 192, and Sunday's effort made him the first player to boast two 150-plus scores in the 50-over tournament, which began in 2014.

The South Australian, who was called up by the Rapids as a replacement for his Redbacks captain Travis Head, shared a club-record second-wicket stand of 239 with English young gun Joe Clarke (122).

The win pushed Worcestershire level with Warwickshire atop the north table, with the two sides set to meet at Edgbaston on Thursday night.

"When you are batting with 'Fergie' at the other end, he makes it easy," said Clarke. "He has got a calm head.

"He has played a lot of one-day cricket and he brings that calmness to the batting side. 

"To get a 192 and a 159 not out in his first two home games is an incredible achievement."

Following his massive debut hundred last week, Ferguson said the fire still burned for national representation, after the right-hander played a lone Test in 2016 to go with his 30 ODIs between 2009 and 2011.

At ODI level, he averages 41, while in Australia's domestic tournament, he is the only player to feature in the top six run-scorers in each of the past three summers.

"I played 30 ODIs and had a good time of it in international cricket," he said. "I really enjoyed my time.

"I haven't played as much in recent years as I would have liked, but it's certainly something I'm keen to get back to and I'm hoping playing over here, getting some experience in the UK and making some runs as well might help my case.

"I'm only 33 and we've seen in recent years that Australia haven't shied away from picking players out of domestic competitions of a similar age like Chris (Rogers), Adam (Voges) and Shaun Marsh.

"It is really exciting to see that and always gives you a bit of hope of 'make the runs and you are going to get rewarded'."

Australia's 50-over squad is currently in the UK, preparing for a five-match series against world No.1 ranked England.

New coach Justin Langer appears well covered with seven batsmen, plus wicketkeeper and captain Tim Paine, and allrounder Ashton Agar, though Ferguson's form and location could potentially make him an attractive and convenient back-up for a batting group shorn of the experience of Steve Smith and David Warner.

Australia play warm-ups against Sussex (Thursday) and Middlesex (Saturday) before the first ODI against England at The Oval on June 13.