Ferguson returns to lead Redbacks

Callum Ferguson will stand in for Travis Head as captain of the West End Redbacks in the upcoming Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

Head is one of four Redbacks who will miss the tournament, joining leg-spinner Adam Zampa as well as uncapped quicks Dan Worrall and Joe Mennie on Australia's tour of South Africa.

The Redbacks announced today that Ferguson, the former Australia ODI batsman who is returning from a serious knee injury, will lead the side in Head's absence.

The squad also includes five players uncapped at List A level, including pace bowler Wes Agar, the brother of Australia and Western Australia allrounder Ashton Agar. 

"The team loses significant experience due to four Australian players being absent," said South Australia's General Manager of High Performance Tim Nielsen.

"We will look to Callum and other senior players to lead the way on and off the ground.

"We couldn't be more pleased about having our players represent Australia, and it's a huge opportunity for our squad to compete hard and continue their development from last season,"

The 14-man man squad includes seven of the 11 players who played in last year's Matador Cup final, which the Redbacks lost to a star-studded NSW Blues side.

Ferguson suffered his third serious knee injury last December and made his return to competitive cricket last week, scoring 122 in the West End Redbacks League. 

Also included is uncapped opening batsman Jake Weatherald, who impressed in last season's Sheffield Shield final, while the Redbacks will rely on the experience of Australia ODI quick Kane Richardson, veteran batsman Tom Cooper and left-hander Jake Lehmann.

A surprise omission given the unavailability of Mennie and Worrall is Sheffield Shield mainstay Chadd Sayers, with the pace attack to be led by Richardson and the inexperienced quartet of Agar, Alex Gregory, Nick Benton and Cameron Valente.  

Quick Single: Full Matador Cup schedule

South Australia squad: Callum Ferguson (C), Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Nicholas Benton, Alex Carey, Tom Cooper, Michael Cormack, Alex Gregory, Jake Lehmann, Tim Ludeman, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald.

2016 Matador Cup – broadcast matches

Oct 6: Qld v WA, WACA. Oct 8: WA v Vic, WACA. Oct 9: SA v WA, WACA. Oct 12: SA v NSW, Drummoyne Oval. Oct 13: Vic v Tas, North Sydney Oval. Oct 14: Qld v NSW d/n, Drummoyne. Oct 15: Tas v WA, North Sydney. Oct 16: NSW v Vic d/n, North Sydney. Oct 18: Vic v Qld, Drummoyne. Oct 19: NSW v WA, North Sydney. Oct 21: Qualifying final, d/n, Drummoyne. Oct 23: Final, North Sydney.