Carberry wary of Johnson pace

Cricket365
September 16, 2013

Opening batsman Michael Carberry is enjoying the difference between county competition and international cricket, ahead of Monday's fifth and final ODI against Australia at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

Carberry, a Hampshire veteran, was instrumental in Saturday's three-wicket win at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, where England squared the series on the back of half-centuries from him, captain Eoin Morgan and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler.

The hard-hitting left-hander, though, probably wouldn't have been afforded the opportunity if the hosts had not rested skipper Alastair Cook and middle-order batsman Ian Bell for the five-match affair.

The 32-year-old's weekend vigil was particularly fruitful against visiting seamer Mitchell Johnson, whose outstanding form earlier this month was marred by figures of none for 64 in 9.3 overs.

"Mitchell seems to be getting up for it at the moment. It was pretty tough stuff against him early on with the new ball in Cardiff. That is the difference between playing county cricket day in day out, and international cricket. The pace of the bowlers is just that little bit more," said Carberry.

"It probably does determine how you play, what shots you can try, when they're bowling that much quicker than what you're used to. But the basic principles of batting remain the same – watching the ball – and shot selection becomes a little bit more key. When someone is slinging them down at 93 or 94 miles per hour, like Mitchell was, the longer you are there the more you get used to it."

The Australians, meanwhile, are set to replaced the injured Shaun Marsh with fellow left-hander Phil Hughes. Captain Michael Clarke's participation remained in the balance seven hours prior to the fixture. Clarke is nursing a hurt back.