Star Sydney Thunder signing Callum Ferguson is in doubt for Tuesday's Big Bash season opener against the cross-town Sixers after injuring his left quad in Tuesday's practice match.
South Australian Ferguson had a scan late on Thursday following his retired hurt on 30 in the Thunder's nine-run loss to the Melbourne Stars in Albury, shortly after feeling a niggle in his thigh.
Medical staff made the call to put Ferguson on ice and not risk further injury just a week out from the new season, and he will be carefully monitored in the lead-up to Tuesday's clash.
"It didn't really feel like anything more than a pinprick, it just got a little bit worse as we went," Ferguson said.
"He [physio Murray Ryan] said it's just not worth risking anything so I came off. It was nothing too serious; we're pretty hopeful that it'll just be a four or five-day thing, let it settle down and then we'll be right to go."
Ferguson joined the Thunder from the Melbourne Renegades on a three-year deal, and is expected to bat at number four throughout the summer.
He's one of three international signings for the franchise this summer, alongside New Zealand T20 star Mitchell McClenaghan and English wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
The Thunder have long been keen on Ferguson's services, and were quick to pounce once his Renegades contract expired.
"I was batting at six for the majority of last season and I can understand the reasons why they [the Renegades] were probably putting a bit more of their resources and focus into the guys at the top of the list and the younger guys as well, which is fair enough," Ferguson said.
"The Thunder came to me and said we think we've got a role higher up in the order with a longer-term focus. I've worked really closely with [coach] Paddy Upton in the IPL with the Pune Warriors, know what he's about, know what culture he tries to set up.
"I got along really well with Mike Hussey and Shane Watson when we were playing for Australia together, and a number of players I've played with or against over the journey at the Thunder. It was quite an attractive proposition, just knowing what those guys were all about."
Only 600 tickets remain for sale ahead of Tuesday's Sydney derby at Spotless Stadium where last season's bottom-placed team will host the beaten finalists.
Losing Ferguson for the game would be a massive blow for the Thunder, but in more promising news captain Shane Watson is set to play after shaking off the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Bangladesh Premier League.
Watson tuned up for Tuesday's game by blasting 16 sixes in an unbeaten 114 for Sutherland in Sydney grade cricket on Sunday, and expected Ferguson still had some of his best cricket ahead of him.
"I'm pretty happy at this point with how I'm batting, you're always hungry for more runs," Ferguson said.
"I've been able to get some personal bests at different stages over the last couple of years so I feel like I'm improving still and becoming a better player with each year.
"I hope Watto's right. I'm certainly confident that I'm getting better as a player and really excited now with another opportunity to play in a different set-up."
