AFTER a glittering Hampshire career that yielded five trophies and countless memories, Michael Carberry is now focused on the next chapter of his career, as captain of Leicestershire.

But he will always be remembered fondly at The Ageas Bowl.

Carberry made no fewer than 16,862 runs in all formats during his 12 seasons with Hampshire, including 34 centuries and 10,277 in first-class competition.

An outstanding fielder, he also took 137 catches in his 370 matches for Hampshire.

But the statistics do not do justice to his formidable character, which helped him recover from blood clots on his lungs in November 2010 and the cancerous tumour discovered last year with astonishing resilience.

Here are ten of Michael Alexander Carberry’s best matches for Hampshire.

192* v WARWICKSHIRE ROSE BOWL, JULY 2007 (COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP)
Carberry battled through long periods of cramp to register what was a career-best score to lead Hampshire to a dramatic last-over win.

He faced 281 balls, hitting 24 fours and a six in scoring 58 per cent of Hampshire’s runs as Shane Warne’s side climbed to within 13 points of leaders Yorkshire.

An early Hampshire declaration and the forfeiting of Warwickshire’s second innings gave the home side a target of 331 after two days of rain.

Hampshire manager Paul Terry said: “Carbs played good cricket shots, blazing fours even when he had cramp.

“It would have been easy for him to give it up but he played a special innings.”

Carberry shared a fourth-wicket stand of 117 with Chris Benham and an unbroken 86 with Dimi Mascarenhas as the hosts eased to a five-wicket victory.

But his cramp was so bad he struggled to hold his bat before surpassing his previous-best Championship score of 112, for Kent against Worcestershire more than three years earlier.

Carberry offered just one half-chance – to Darren Maddy at second slip on 65.

He said: “I had to get through some tough spells early on but, as the innings progressed, I started to find some rhythm and timing.

“I’ve suffered from cramp since childhood and I had it again in my arms, my hands and my mouth.

“There were times when I couldn’t hold the bat so the physio worked really hard and my teammates were fantastic, they kept me going.”

Carberry accelerated after tea, ironically when his cramp was at its worst. After reaching 50 from 92 balls and 100 from 183, he needed just 215 deliveries for his 150.

“I was delighted to get through,” he added. “The batters haven’t had as successful a year as we would have liked but hopefully this win can be the spur we need to push for the title.”

With six overs left, Hampshire still needed 44 but Carberry eased the tension by pulling a good-length delivery from Jimmy Anyon, over mid-wicket for his only six.

Twenty runs were needed off the last 18 balls and 14 off the last 12, but Hampshire won with three balls remaining when Tim Groenewald sent down a chest high delivery against Carberry that was immediately signalled no-ball by umpire Rob Bailey.

At tea, Hampshire needed 168 from the last 34 overs. “The Twenty20 Cup has shown us that sort of total is gettable,” continued Carberry.

“I had my fair share of luck but it was just my day. A few went to third man but you have to ride your luck as an opening batsman because it’s never easy against the new ball.”

Warwickshire decided not to take the second new ball during the last 12 overs. Carberry continued: “The ball got softer so wasn’t travelling as quickly but Warney instils in us to back ourselves to the hilt and there was always a chance we could win while I was out there seeing it well.

“It was right I didn’t give my wicket away with us 40 runs short because it would have left us with a lot to do.”

162 & 107 v DURHAM BASINGSTOKE, AUGUST 2010 (COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP)

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A month after scoring 158 against Kent, Carberry made two centuries in a Championship game for the second time in his career – against a Durham attack including Steve Harmison, Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett.

Carberry shared a record second-wicket stand of 314 with Michael Lumb as Hampshire amassed 421-5d in what turned out to be their last game at May’s Bounty.

It is Hampshire’s highest-ever partnership at the outground, surpassing a stand of 196 between John Rice and Mark Nicholas against Sussex in 1982.

Durham replied with 320-7 before Carberry responded with 107 out of Hampshire’s 203-5.

“I had to fight hard on this wicket as it was slow, which goes against my game,” said Carberry.

“There was no pace on the ball, which made it hard at times, but as the ball got softer it became easier to score.”

He ended the season with over 1,000 Championship runs for the third time in his Hampshire career - 1,221.

Despite his prolific run scoring and Alastair Cook’s poor form at the time, Carberry talked down his chances of an another England opportunity, five months after making 30 and 34 in Bangladesh on his Test debut.

“That ship’s sailed,” he said. “I’m not ruling it out altogether but the way things have panned out, I don’t think I’ll be in an England shirt – for the time being anyway.

“England is out of the equation, opportunities might come round again but I’m relying on injuries.”

Carberry's pessimism was understandable after being overlooked for debutant Eoin Morgan for the opening Test of the summer against Bangladesh.

“After working hard for 12 years to get a Test cap, that was disappointing and it hurt, but life goes on,” he said.

“It’s not the end of the world and is not the first disappointment I’ve had. It’s been like that since I was 12. I’ve had to push doors down throughout my career.”

300* v YORKSHIRE ROSE BOWL, AUGUST 2011 (COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP)

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In only his third game after blood clots were discovered on one of his lungs nine months earlier, Carberry compiled a staggering 300 not out against Yorkshire at The Ageas Bowl, a 427-ball chanceless epic in which he shared the county’s highest-ever partnership; 523 for the third wicket with Neil McKenzie.

Carberry’s triple century spanned eight and-a half hours, containing 43 boundaries and two sixes and remains the fifth-highest score by a Hampshire player.

He and McKenzie’s alliance shattered the county’s previous record stand of 411 between Teddy Wynyard and Robert Poore way back in 1899.

It was only 32 runs shy of English cricket’s highest partnership (the 555 between Yorkshire legends Percy Holmes and Herbert Sutcliffe in 1932).

McKenzie, whose contribution was 237 off 412 balls (25 fours, two sixes), said: “You don’t get involved in these partnerships too often and sharing one with Michael Carberry after what he’s been through was really special.

“He’s got this saying of Graham Gooch’s – “you never have enough” – and that was the theme for the last couple of hours.

"Carbs is one of the hardest workers I know and to achieve what he’s done is magnificent.”

Their partnership is the 11th highest in first-class history and the fourth highest for the third wicket.

It easily surpassed the County Championship’s previous third-wicket record – Graeme Hick and Tom Moody’s unbroken 438 against Hampshire at Northlands Rd in 1997.

Less than a month later, Carberry took part in another huge stand, contributing 182 to a 373-run partnership with Jimmy Adams against Somerset at Taunton.

127 & 120 v WORCESTERSHIRE KIDDERMINSTER, SEPTEMBER 2007 (COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP)

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A rare sight during one of Carberry's three centuries against Worcestershire in 2007 

Wearing a black armband in memory of his grandfather Clarence, who died of cancer in Barbados on the eve of this match, Carberry became the eighth Hampshire batsman to score two centuries in a County Championship match, a month after hitting 116 against the same opponents in a low-scoring game at The Ageas Bowl.

Carberry followed his first-innings 127 with 120 as Hampshire romped home by 294 runs at Kidderminster, which was hosting the game due to flooding at New Road.

After making a century on day one, he said: “It was an emotional day for me. I never met my grandfather but he’s always been a phone call away and has followed my career from the Caribbean.

“He’s been ill for a while but it was good to get the hundred. It’s dedicated to him.”

Hampshire made 444 in their first innings before securing a first-innings lead of 155, but Shane Warne decided against enforcing the follow-on.

Carberry and Michael Brown responded with an opening stand of 199 in 47 overs.

It bettered the 113 shared by Gordon Greenidge and Barry Richards in Hampshire’s previous visit to Kidderminster in 1971.

Carberry missed the start of the season through injury but left Kidderminster with his fourth hundred in seven matches.

A few weeks later, Carberry ended his season with an unbeaten 113 against Yorkshire in what was Shane Warne’s last appearance for Hampshire, taking him past 1,000 Championship runs in a season for the first time.

204 v WARWICKSHIRE ROSE BOWL, JULY 2009 (COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP)

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Batting against Warwickshire in 2009

This was Carberry’s third century in as many matches – and his first double.

It came from only 270 balls (28 fours, one six) and formed the foundation of Hampshire’s 505 in reply to Warwickshire’s 484-7dec.

“Nailing hundreds is what I’ve been searching for, it’s been drummed into me from an early age to cash in after getting in a run of form and I’ve had a good time of it,” he said.

“I’m loving it at the moment and hopefully it will continue for the rest of the season.

“I owe the boys some runs after last season and have made some slight changes which are more mental than anything. I’ve also worked on a few technical things with [batting coach] Tony Middleton.

“I don’t just want to be a good first-class batsman, I want to dominate and get my name in the England fold so I’ve looked at the best batsmen in the world, guys like [Ricky] Ponting and [Kevin] Pietersen, and the areas they score in and how they put bowlers under pressure.

“I started the season ok but in the last couple of games I’ve tried to free myself up. If the ball is there to hit I’ve tried to hit it and go with flow.

“I’m trying to take each ball as it comes and not get too carried away but at the same time keep my aggressive nature.”

Carberry’s run of form in 2009 coincided with the arrival of former England coach Duncan Fletcher as Hampshire’s coaching consultant.

“He’s glad I’m trying to improve at the age I’m at and it’s been good working with him, especially as he’s worked with [Marcus] Trescothick and [Andrew] Strauss so knows about opening as a left hander,” continued Carberry, who put on 261 for the first wicket with Jimmy Adams - the biggest of the pair’s four century stands so far that season.

“A lot of credit has got to go to Jimmy, he was fantastic and kept me going. He reined me in nicely when I may have been a bit loose and deserved a hundred – but his 90 was worth 120.”

It proved to be a memorable week for Carberry as Hampshire beat Sussex in the Friends Provident Trophy final the next day. He finished the season with 1,251 Championship runs - a new personal-best.

100* v LANCASHIRE AGEAS BOWL, AUGUST 2013 (T20 BLAST QUARTER-FINAL)

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Celebrating his T20 century

Carberry followed his unbeaten 150 against Lancashire in May with his first century in the shortest format as Hampshire won a thrilling quarter-final by just one run to secure their place at Finals Day for a fourth successive season.

He ended this epic by scrambling two off the last ball of the innings to join Michael Lumb and Jimmy Adams as Hampshire’s third t20 centurion, laying the cornerstone as Dimi Mascarenhas’s side amassed 202-3 after losing the toss.

After sharing 110 during the opening ten overs with Vince, who also excoriated the Lancashire attack with a two-a-ball 60, Carberry made inexorable progress to his 66-ball 100 (11 fours, three sixes).

Lancashire had never conceded so many before but were sensational in reply, before finishing on 202-4 Carberry said: “This has capped off a good tournament for me but Lancashire made a really good fist of it and kept themselves in the hunt.

“Vincey played beautifully, he allowed me to take my time and start opening my shoulders. We gave the team a fantastic launchpad.”

125 v WORCESTERSHIRE NEW ROAD, JUNE 2014 (COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP)

This may have been in division two but it was crucial to Hampshire going up as champions.

Carberry scored 125 to ensure Hampshire did not lose after following on 183 behind against Worcestershire.

Both sides would be promoted, but Hampshire pipped Worcestershire to the title by three points thanks partly to Carberry’s heroics against their nearest rivals.

Had Hampshire lost this match they would also have missed out on promotion as Essex were only 11 points behind in third place.

Carberry batted for nearly five hours on the final day before he was lbw to Joe Leach for 125, with Hampshire 272-5.

Hands were shaken on a draw 14 overs later and Hampshire clinched the title at Cardiff on the season’s final day.

150* v LANCASHIRE AGEAS BOWL, MAY 2013 (YB40 LEAGUE)

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Celebrating his century - before adding another 50

Carberry’s career-best List A innings was televised live by Sky Sports and guided Hampshire to their 245-run target with six overs and nine wickets to spare.

He faced only 115 balls after reaching his century from 77. One of his five sixes dented the Sky Sports truck stationed several metres back from the mid-wicket boundary.

“Apparently I’m getting the invoice later on!” laughed Carberry, who also sent a jabbed pull against Oliver Newby skidding into the seats at mid-wicket before pulling Kyle Hogg for his third maximum.

You could see what the fifth hundred of Carberry’s one-day career meant to him as he punched the air emphatically upon reaching three figures, a landmark he passed with his 13th four.

A final maximum, pulled high against White over the long boundary at backward square-leg, put Hampshire in sight.

Then he drilled the winning runs through extra cover to join boyhood hero Gordon Greenidge as one of only two Hampshire players to reach 150 against Lancashire in one-day competition.

Carberry had worked hard on his one-day game over the winter and it reaped dividends.

This was the best performance of his one-day career.

Jimmy Adams contributed an unbeaten 66 from 61 balls during the unbroken 223-run stand with his fellow southpaw.

Afterwards Carberry spoke of his England prospects following a recent England Lions call-up at the age of 33.

“I may not get the chance again and I do realise the clock is ticking, but I’d like to make the transition from being in the Lions to being back where I was in 2010,” he added. “But there are a lot of good young players out there.”

104 v MIDDLESEX LORD’S, AUGUST 2006 (CHAMPIONSHIP)

Carberry’s only century at the home of cricket was his second for Hampshire and came towards the end of his first season with the county.

“I’m thrilled,” he said. “A first-class hundred anywhere is special but for a batter to get a hundred at Lord’s is even more memorable because it’s such a hallowed place.

“I’d played here once before but can only remember being here one other time – when I was 12th man for Surrey.”

Carberry’s ton came as a relief to the 25 year-old as it followed two ducks against his former Kent teammates.

“It was great to get some runs after my nightmare against Kent," he said.

"The Middlesex players let me know about it when I was on 99 so it was good to get there. “They bowled really well and made me work hard for my runs.”

Carberry’s ton helped Hampshire post 402-7 declared in reply to Middlesex’s 422.

He reached it by driving Scott Styris to the cover boundary, at the end of the second day’s penultimate over.

At the time it was his highest score for Hampshire and he leapt for joy, punching the air in celebration.

It was not his most fluent innings. Twice he was dropped in the twenties, – low down by Owais Shah at first slip and in the gully.

But he knuckled down to put on 134 for the second wicket with John Crawley.

When he reached 99 he was bounced by Middlesex’s seamers, who were quick to remind him that he fell one run short of a century against Yorkshire only two weeks earlier.

So his relief at stroking his last ball of the day through the covers for his 17th four was understandable. 

The match later descended into farce as Shane Warne stationed fielders, including Carberry, outside the boundary in a bid to encourage a declaration.

But it ended with a tense run chase. Middlesex declared on 309-4, setting Hampshire 330 to win before the visitors closed on 283-7.


90 v MIDDLESEX ROSE BOWL, JUNE 2006 (T20 CUP SOUTH DIVISION)

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Hitting a six during the 2006 Twenty20 Cup

In only his second T20 match for Hampshire, Carberry hit 90 off 59 balls (seven fours, two sixes) as the county posted 225-2 - their highest T20 total at the time - in front of an 8,000-plus home crowd.

Man-of-the-match Carberry put on a record 122 in less than 12 overs for the first wicket with rookie Mitchell Stokes and 90 runs from 43 balls with Dominic Thornely before he was caught in the covers in the final over.

This remains the second-highest T20 score of his career and helped a young Hampshire side bounce back after losing their opening match against Sussex.

Hampshire’s 225-2 remained the county’s highest total for 11 years before the Shahid Afridi-inspired 249 in this year’s quarter-final against Derbyshire.

Carberry was so dehydrated after his knock that he was replaced in the field by Jimmy Adams as Hampshire completed a 59-run victory.

“We’re not far away from something really special,” he said afterwards. “We’re all hungry to do well so other teams better watch out because we can do a lot of damage.

“What we did against Middlesex doesn’t surprise me because Hampshire have a lot of good young cricketers.”

This innings pipped Carberry’s brilliant last half-century for Hampshire - his 77 against Middlesex in this season’s T20 Blast three months ago - into our top ten.

On July 14, exactly a year after announcing his cancer diagnosis, Carberry hit his highest T20 Blast score for three years.

His 45-ball 77, his highest T20 score in any competition since the 2014/15 Big Bash and helped Hampshire make it three wins out of three in front of a 9,000-plus Ageas Bowl crowd.

Umpire Nigel Cowley was upended by one of Carberry’s four fours and the first of his five sixes hit a window on the first floor of the pavilion as Hampshire made 189-8.

Carberry put on 58 in six overs with Rileee Rossouw and was finally bowled in the final over immediately after driving James Franklin for his fifth six.

He later produced a stunning catch at deep point to get rid of Paul Stirling before running in 30 yards from the cover boundary to take a sliding catch that accounted for Ryan Higgins.

It proved to be one last hurrah from a Hampshire legend.

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Acknowledging the applause at The Ageas Bowl after his valedictory 77 in July

Michael Carberry
career statistics

OVERALL
First-class
Matches: 204
Runs: 13,675
Average: 41.18
Hundreds: 35
Half-centuries: 66
HS: 300*
Catches: 93
Wickets: 17 (at 63.17)

One-day
Matches: 171
Runs: 4,659
Average: 42.35
Hundreds: 6
Half-centuries: 34
HS: 150*
Catches: 62
Wickets: 11 (at 27.00)

T20
Matches: 146
Runs: 3720
Average: 31.00
Strike rate: 124.41
HS: 100*
Hundreds: 1
Half-centuries: 29
Catches: 48
Wickets: 1-19

FOR HAMPSHIRE
First-class 
Matches: 147
Runs: 10,277 
Average: 42.64
Half-centuries:
Centuries: 28
Highest score: 300*
Catches: 60
Wickets: 13 (at 62.8)
BB: 2-85

T20
Matches: 112
Runs: 3,066 
Average: 31.28
Half-centuries: 28 
Centuries: 1
Catches: 38

One-day
Matches: 111
Runs: 3,519
Average: 38.67
Half-centuries 27
Centuries 5
Catches: 39
Wickets: 7 (at 34.42)

FOR ENGLAND
Tests: 6
Runs: 345
Average: 28.75
Half centuries: 1
HS: 60

ODIs: 6
Runs: 114
Average: 19.00
Strike rate: 63.33
Catches: 2

T20 Internationals: 1 
(v Sri Lanka, The Oval, 2014)
Runs: 7
Average: 7
HS: 7
Catches: 1