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Carberry remains on standby for England

2:02pm Friday 1st January 2010


Michael Carberry will have to wait until tomorrow before discovering whether he will make his England debut against South Africa in Cape Town.

The Hampshire star was called up to the squad as cover for the injured Paul Collingwood three days ago and remains on standby.

Collingwood, who dislocated his left index finger during the emphatic second Test win against South Africa at Kingsmead, came through a tentative practice session this morning.

The Durham batsman had strapping on the injury as England netted at Newlands, Cape Town.

He batted for ten minutes against throw-downs before taking part in a very gentle slip fielding drill.

Later he took part in a formal net session, albeit with paceman James Anderson bowling off-spin.

Coach Andy Flower confirmed England will leave a final decision on Collingwood's participation until tomorrow, but admitted: "I'd say at the moment it's probably 50-50."

Flower is nonetheless heartened by Collingwood's progress so far.

"He did more today than I thought he'd do," he added.

"I told him to take it easy and we'd test it out properly on Saturday.

"He had a net, did some fielding and a bit of slip-catching, and his finger felt better than he thought it might.

"That's positive news but we'll do a final fitness test on him the day before the game."

Carberry impressed in South Africa while playing for the England Performance Programme, having scored more first-class runs for Hampshire last year (1251 at an average of 69.5) than he had ever previously managed in any LV County Championship season.

Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright is also a possible replacement for Collingwood.

But after beating South Africa by an innings and 98 runs in Durban, England are likely to persist with four bowlers and six specialist batsman.

Carberry’s outstanding fielding skills also make him the obvious replacement for Collingwood.


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Tye-Dye, Veil Nebula says...
7:34pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Ok so Carbs didn't get a start, but must of enjoyed the match and todays gut wrenching finale, anyone driving down the M3 at about 3.30pm and saw a man in a black Astra 57 plate smoking 6 fags, and crying like a baby, I apologise if I freaked you out, but that was nerve wracking! Well played the England team who no longer know the meaning of a batting collapse, the 80's and 90's seem so distant now.We have a side with guts and spine, and a never say die attitude. Fantastic test match, with everything including alleged ball tampering, well played South Africa but you need to take all 20, England cannot lose the series and thats an achievement in itself. On to Thursday and the final test, it's going to be a cracker!

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Michael Carberry Carberry remains on standby for England


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