Callum Ferguson unfazed by talks of captaining Australian team

Callum Ferguson, who has been tipped as Australian Test captain-in-waiting, tries to resists the hype over the debate that rages around the leadership credentials of Ricky Ponting.

Ponting and chief selector Andrew Hilditch have identified Ferguson as a certain prospect for Australia's middle order, but recently talks have moved towards his potential as a skipper.

Ferguson, 25, is already South Australia's vice-captain and is gaining strong support without a Test to his name.

"I don't think anyone in Australia would say they didn't want to captain Australia, that would be the highest honour as a cricketer you could possibly get," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"It's a big call though, to label someone as 'this guy is going to captain Australia'. The fact of the matter at the moment is that I haven't played Test cricket at all yet.

"I just desperately want to get my baggy green first and see where we go from there. My goal is try to get into Test cricket first. Everyone is allowed their opinion, it's nice when people say things like that. They're kind words and I definitely appreciate them," he said.

His assuredness, ability and easy personality have made him a favourite among the team's hierarchy, while commentators rave about his batting.

"I try not to think about that stuff too much, we've got a good bunch of blokes at the Redbacks and in the Australian team, when you are playing for those teams you're just filling a role and doing your job for the team," Ferguson said.