CALLUM FERGUSON - something of a forgotten man in Australia's batting reserves - hopes his improved technique and a renewed focus on first-class cricket can get him considered for a national recall.
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The jockeying to replace the retiring Michael Hussey will hot up after the third Test against Sri Lanka, with the leading challenges likely to come from Usman Khawaja, Alex Doolan and Hussey's brother, David.
But Ferguson has scored more Sheffield Shield runs than all three of those players this season - his 463 at 42 has him behind only Phillip Hughes - and said he was determined to push for a chance to display again the promise he showed in 25 one-day internationals before he suffered a serious knee injury during the 2009 Champions Trophy.
''I'm desperately keen to get back into Australian colours,'' Ferguson said on Tuesday. ''I was very pleased to have had the chance to travel with the Australian one-day side over to Dubai during the winter and it was great to get around the squad again with the boys.
''It was great fun and I'm desperately keen to get back in there again. Since my injury I haven't had many opportunities but I'm hoping I can pile the runs on and really knock the door down and give myself a chance of getting back in there.''
South Australia's coach Darren Berry challenged Ferguson to lift his game before the season and along with the help of other mentors, the 28-year-old started playing straighter again, after lapsing into a limited-overs mode of trying to hit too many balls square.
''We sat down and thought 'Right, we've got to put some serious yards in here to try to get my four-day game back where it was a couple of years ago','' Ferguson said.
''We had a good, hard look at that and got to work in the pre-season and I've got to thank him for the effort he's put into my game along with [Redbacks assistant coach] Jeff Vaughan and Dean Jones. It's been fantastic. It wasn't the riot act, it was 'Mate, let's see what we can do with your four-day game'.''
Ferguson will probably get only one Sheffield Shield match before the Test squad is announced for the Indian tour in February.
He would have liked more chances to impress, but for now he will try to capture selectors' focus through the Big Bash League for the Adelaide Strikers, who on Wednesday night play the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium.
''The frustrating thing is having lost the spot in the one-day side on the back of the injury and not having found it again,'' he said.
''But at the same time I'm realistic, injuries happen in sport and I'm just glad it didn't happen before I had the chance to play for my country.''
