Croydon’s Michael Carberry ready for Ashes action

Micheal Carberry. Pic: LMI Photography

Micheal Carberry. Pic: LMI Photography

Croydon born Michael Carberry is expected to earn his second England cap, as the Ashes series gets underway in Australia tonight.

The first test match begins in Brisbane at 12:00am GMT, and English cricket fans will hope to wake up to news of a successful day for the ex-Surrey bastman.

Carberry, 33, made his only other test appearance for England in March 2010 on a tour of Bangladesh, but his career was put on hold later that year when he was diagnosed with blood clots on his lungs.

The career-threatening illness has only recently eased to the extent that he is able to make the long-haul flight to Australia.

But after scores of 78 and 153 in England’s warm-up games over the past few weeks, Carberry’s place in the team for the First Test is all but assured.

England captain Alastair Cook, has praised the Thornton Heath-born Carberry’s attitude: “There is a calmness in the way he goes about his business; I think he realises how lucky he is to be here.”

“At 33 he knows his game very well. Obviously he’s impressed us all with the way he’s handled himself on the tour.”

Cook added: “He’s grabbed the opportunity with both hands and he’s looked the part.”

Leave a Reply