Carberry hopes to spark Ashes chance

Michael Carberry had to tell one boss he would not be in work for a while when he was selected for the Ashes tour, and is now trying to impress another in order to add to his solitary Test cap.

After drifting off the England radar and suffering illness, Carberry ensured he had a second career and became a fully trained electrician, spending previous close-seasons plying his trade around Hampshire.

But this year he is in Perth, opening the batting for England, and trying to push his claims for a place in the Brisbane Test three-and-a-half years after his only other appearance against Bangladesh.

"I'm sure my foreman is more than happy I'm here," he said. "I spent last winter working as an electrician. It gives you a full appreciation of playing cricket. There's a bit of pressure on me now if anything electrically goes wrong in the dressing room."

Although Carberry is an opener in domestic cricket for Hampshire, during the earlier days of his career he held a variety of positions in batting orders and would be confident slotting into England's middle order if that is where the opportunity arose.

He stuck a lively 78 on the second day against the Western Australia Chairman's XI as he stood in for Alastair Cook at the top of the order following the captain's bad back. But with Cook now on the mend and the selectors likely to show faith with Joe Root alongside him, Carberry could yet join Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes in competition for the No. 6 position.

"Across my career I played in quite a few strong batting line-ups," he said. "When I was a young pro making my way I've had to slot in where there's been a space. I've made first-class hundreds batting at five and six over my career, so I don't see that being a hindrance, especially when you've got the likes of Pietersen and Root and these kind of guys before you. It's a nice position to be in following those guys."

Carberry now hopes to earn further chances in England's remaining warm-up fixtures against Australia A in Hobart and the Invitational XI in Sydney before the Brisbane Test. "It hasn't been finalised. At this stage it's all speculation. Hopefully I've done enough in this game to possibly play in Hobart."

"I'm here because I'm a good player. It's been recognised by the management," he added. "It's down to me now to show that. Hopefully I showed a few glimpses of it today."