Surgery may keep Ferguson out of cricket for one year

SYDNEY: Australian batsman Callum Ferguson will have surgery next week to repair a damaged knee ligament and could be out of cricket for up to 12 months, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

The 24-year-old right-hander, one of the stars of Australia''s 6-1 one-day series win last month in England with an average of 64, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Ferguson jarred his knee while fielding during the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand a week ago.

The South Australian middle-order batsman had scans and specialist consultation which advised him to have surgery.

"Callum underwent scans in Adelaide on Friday and saw a specialist on Saturday," Cricket Australia''s doctor Trefor James said in a statement.

"After consultation with Cricket Australia medical staff it was decided the best course of action is for him to have an ACL knee reconstruction.

"This procedure is likely to keep him out of the game for 6-12 months."

Ferguson said he was fearing the worst with the diagnosis.

"It''s not a shock, but that doesn''t make it any less disappointing," he told reporters.

"As soon as it happened I felt a good, decent tear and heard it as well, so that wasn''t a good sign, and the physio wasn''t too confident either.

"I''m pretty sure it''ll be nine to 12 (months) -- nine months will leave me with a few months to get ready for the (following) Sheffield Shield season, and there''d be no point in rushing."

James said fast bowler Nathan Bracken, who had arthroscopic right knee surgery last Friday, was expected to return to cricket during the upcoming Australian summer.