Wednesday, December 30, 2009

England call on Carberry as cover

Michael Carberry
Carberry made his Hants debut in 2006 after spells at Surrey and Kent

Hampshire left-hander Michael Carberry has been called into the England tour squad in South Africa as batting cover.

Carberry will be on standby for Paul Collingwood, who dislocated his left index finger during the Durban Test.

Collingwood is expected to play in the third Test at Cape Town on 3 January after X-rays revealed no fracture.

Carberry, 29, who played for England's U-19 side, struck four centuries in the Championship for Hampshire last season, scoring 1,251 runs at an average of 69.

Collingwood was injured during regular fielding practice ahead of the fourth day in Durban.

The full extent of the damage is not yet known but he did not field on the final two days.

606: DEBATE

The 33-year-old Durham all-rounder is an integral component of the England side. He was at the crease in the tense closing stages to earn a draw in the first Test, and scored a composed 91 in the first innings to help set up England's emphatic victory at Durban.

He is also widely regarded as the best fielder in the England team, with 72 Test catches to his name.

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