worcestershire 2018 overseas player, callum ferguson will fill the gap left by travis head’s early call-up by australia to prepare for the forthcoming odi series with hosts england.
head will temporarily part company with his adopted county after sunday’s royal london one-day cup match between the rapids and lancashire lightning at New Road.
ferguson will now slot into the overseas player spot for the final four north group games in the competition and be available for any potential quarter-final or semi-final.
he had originally been scheduled to play the final north group game which would have made him eligible for the knockout stages.
with australia having also arranged a mini t20 tour of zimbabwe, ferguson will also replace head for the opening three vitality blast games – and then return for the final six group matches after the departure of martin guptill.
worcestershire head coach kevin sharp confirmed: “callum will play the four one-day cup games that travis would have played in – and if we qualify he will eligible for the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
“he will also play the first three t20s when travis is away in zimbabwe and then comes back when martin guptill has gone.
“callum has arrived. he is in the country. he has met the lads already and practiced with us and settled in well.”
ferguson has played 30 odis, three t20is and one test for australia.
he was part of the sydney thunder side in the big bash and ended the sheffield shield programme with south australia in good form, scoring 51 versus tasmania and 92 against west australia.
when not on worcestershire duty, ferguson will play birmingham league cricket for ombersley this summer.