England’s Michael Carberry poised for debut in Cape Town Test

CAPE TOWN - England batsman Michael Carberry is poised for a Test debut in the third Test against South Africa starting on Sunday, just 72 hours after landing in the country.

Carberry will play in the Test if all-rounder Paul Collingwood fails to recover from a dislocated left index finger, which he suffered during the warm-ups before the fourth day of the Second Test in Durban.

The 29-year-old was part of the England performance squad, which practised and played in Pretoria in November and December.

He had returned home before Christmas, but was called in as cover for Collingwood.

“Carberry had a good domestic season for Hampshire and was impressive with the performance squad. He scored runs here a few weeks ago and looks like a man who now knows his game,” The Sun quoted Andy Flower, England coach, as saying.

“If you watched him in the nets today he looked very well prepared to me. He looked in very good order,” he added.

Earlier in 2008, Carberry had toured New Zealand with the England Lions, scoring 91 in the first innings of his first tour match.

He also played the New Zealand team on their return tour later that year, scoring 41 in the first innings and 100 not out in the second. (ANI)