Ferguson pumped for Trophy

Emerging star Callum Ferguson is hoping to build on his outstanding limited-overs series in England when Australia's ICC Champions Trophy campaign kicks off against the West Indies in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The 24-year-old South Australian proved himself more than capable of holding down a permanent spot in the middle order with his 192 runs against the old enemy coming at an average of 64 and a blistering strike rate of 93.20.

The Aussies head into the Champions Trophy in the unfamiliar position of No.3 on the rankings after their loss to England in the seventh and final one-day international at Chester-le Street on Sunday ended a brief three-day return to the top.

But Ferguson believes the reigning 50-over world champion will take some beating in South Africa after racking up an impressive 6-1 series win over England.

"I can't wait to get over there and I'm no different to everyone else in the dressingroom. They're fired up and ready to go," he told Cricket Australia TV.

"We feel like we're playing good cricket and we're in a good frame of mind going into it."

Along with the West Indies, Australia will face India and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy on wickets that are likely to take some turn at this time of the year.

Ferguson, however, is unperturbed by his team's relatively poor recent form against spin as it prepares to take on the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Pakistan pair Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi.

In fact, the lightly-built right-hander welcomes the challenge.

"I think India is going to be a huge challenge, not having played them before, that's something I'm looking forward to," he said.

"We've been playing international cricket (in England) and the conditions may be quite similar (in South Africa) at this time of year. Obviously early in their season it might swing around a little bit like it has over here and fingers crossed this has left us in good stead."