Ferguson fires for Worcestershire

Callum Ferguson has powered Worcestershire into England’s domestic T20 semi-finals for the first time with a rapid unbeaten half-century on Saturday.

Ferguson's unbeaten 64 helped Worcestershire chase down their target of 137 at New Road with five wickets in hand and eight deliveries left to knock Gloucestershire out of the competition.

The South Australian’s knock came in just 47 deliveries with six boundaries, saving his team from a precarious early position after England allrounder Moeen Ali departed for one in the second over of the chase.

It continued what’s been a strong T20 campaign for Ferguson, who posted his maiden 20-over century for the county against Nottinghamshire earlier this month with a blazing 102no off 56 deliveries. He then notched a rapid 69 off 49 just one week later.

It comes after Ferguson scored two monster one-day centuries for Worcestershire earlier in the season; he followed up a record-breaking 192 in May with an unbeaten 159 two games later, becoming the first batsman to post two 150-plus scores in the 50-over competition.

"I'm enjoying my time here," Ferguson said following his century on August 4. "I've played most of my career in Australia batting the middle order, so I have really enjoyed the opportunity to bat higher up the list.

"There is a lot of belief in the dressing room and I guess some of that rubs off on you as an individual.”

Earlier in Saturday match, Worcestershire spinner Brett D'Oliveira starred with the ball, taking 4-26 to limit the visitors to 8-136.

D'Oliveira's figures were the best of his career in the 20-over format, while he was well supported by fellow tweaker Daryl Mitchell (1-15) and South African Wayne Parnell (2-22), with none of the Gloucestershire batters able to compose a significant innings.

Opener Miles Hammond top-scored with 45, while Ian Cockbain (35) and Australian Michael Klinger (24) were the other main contributors.

Worcestershire captain Moeen told local media he was “very proud” of his young team for progressing to the competition’s Finals Day for the first time.

“It is really fantastic for the players to reach the finals particularly after they (Gloucestershire) got off to such a fantastic start,” he said.

“It is a first time for the club and it is a great feeling for the boys.”

Gloucestershire skipper Klinger pointed to Ferguson as the difference between the teams.

“We didn’t bat well enough,” he said. “No one took responsibility like Callum Ferguson did for Worcestershire, guys getting 20 and 30 and not going on, including myself. We didn’t get a big enough total.

“It was one of those days. We kept getting out and couldn’t get that momentum.

“It was a good learning experience but disappointing. We came here expecting to win and expecting to be in Finals Day.”

Worcestershire now join Lancashire and Sussex in the T20 Finals Day, which will see both semi-finals and the final played as a triple-header at Edgbaston on September 15.

The final quarter-final between Somerset and Yorkshire will be played at Taunton on Sunday.