Australia one-day batsman Callum Ferguson is trying to look on the bright side after suffering a season-ending knee injury, insisting the timing could have been worse.

Ferguson, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while fielding during the Champions Trophy victory over New Zealand in South Africa last week, was looking forward to a big summer with the Aussies after averaging 46.08 at a strike rate of 85.09 in his three Twenty20 and 25 ODIs since making his debut earlier this year.

The 24-year-old South Australia player is disappointed to be sidelined but said he was glad he got a chance to play in the national side before the setback.

"It's not something I was hoping to come home with but I've had a pretty good 12 months, I've had lots of opportunities and I'm just glad it didn't happen 18 months ago," Ferguson said.

"It's going to be tough watching the Redbacks boys run around and then the Indian series from afar.

"It was so much fun playing with the Aussie boys and we were having a bit of success too but I'm very grateful that I did actually have the opportunity in the first place."

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South Australia's year begins with a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Adelaide Oval which starts tomorrow. Ferguson wants to spend some time around the group despite the injury and then hopefully make his comeback in the corresponding match in the 2010-11 season.

"I've left it open at this stage but it would be fantastic if I was able to get myself up and ready to go by game one next year with the Redbacks," he said.

"I've probably set that as a bit of a goal but I haven't really thought about it too much at this stage."