Carberry already switched on to stake claim for Ashes spot

If he does, after top-scoring for England on day two of their run-fest tour match against a WA Chairman’s XI, the metaphor will be appropriate for a cricketer who spent last winter not out in the middle with his pads on, but instead on the shop floor as a newly-qualified electrician.

Twelve months on, the 33-year-old has swapped the dark mornings and early lighting-up times of home for the clear blue skies of Australia.

Deputising for injured captain Alastair Cook at the top of the order at the WACA, he became the seventh of nine batsmen to pass 50, going on to 78.

Carberry shared a century first-wicket stand with Yorkshire’s Joe Root – the only player so far dismissed here under 50 – before Ian Bell (77no) and Jonathan Trott (64no) consolidated to reach 270-2 in reply to 451-5 declared, on the middle day of a fixture surely destined to get England’s tour under way with a draw.

Bowlers continued to suffer on both sides as first Jim Allenby and Ashton Turner ensured all the Chairman’s XI top six exceeded 50 as they extended their overnight 369-4.

Root was in position to cash in, too, by the time he shuffled across his crease to be lbw to medium-pacer Allenby for 36, to end an opening stand of exactly 100.

Root’s inability to join the happy throng will not alter the fact that he remains inked in as Cook’s opening partner for the Ashes.

His journeyman opening partner Carberry has already banked more than 10,000 first-class runs in a career which has taken in three counties, most recently Hampshire, and was interrupted after his solitary Test to date when three years ago he suffered a blood clot on his lung.

Carberry subsequently undertook his electrician’s apprenticeship, successfully completing a scheduled two-year course in only six months.

He wasted no time either in passing his first exam on his second Test tour as England’s batsmen put the struggles of their own bowlers into fair context on a benign pitch.

It is a handy start, he knows, and already something he could scarcely have dreamed of a year ago.

“I’ve had to put the electrical work back on hold. But I’m sure my foreman is more than happy I’m here for the Ashes,” said Carberry.

“Working as an electrician gives you a full appreciation of playing cricket.”

Carberry survived a loud appeal for caught behind before he had scored but otherwise appeared in control throughout his 100-ball stay.

He said: “At the start of any innings you’re obviously a little bit nervous, looking for that first run to get off the mark. But after that I’ve figured ‘Look, I’m here, I’m a good player – it’s been recognised by the management; it’s just down to me now to go out and show that’.

“I hope I showed a few glimpses of that today... and have done enough in this game to play in the next fixture against Australia A in Hobart.”

That is open to debate, with Cook hoping to be back by next week, although Carberry insists he is a contender, too, for the undecided No 6 spot for this high-profile winter. After getting set, and with a hundred there for the taking, he might have further pressed his claims but instead cut straight to point to give off-spinner Ashton Turner a maiden first-class wicket.

“It was a bit of a bummer getting out that way but these things happen,” he said.

Asked if he can adapt to batting in the middle order, however, Carberry made it clear that is very much a viable route.

He said: “I’d like to think so. Across my career, I’ve played in quite a few strong batting line-ups and, as a young pro making my way in, I’ve had to slot in where there has been a space.

“I’ve made first-class hundreds batting at five and six earlier in my career, so I don’t see that being a hindrance.”

He has had enough ups and downs to know there is no use fretting about factors beyond his control. “Nothing has been discussed yet, which is why I’m keeping it as a blank canvas in my own mind,” continued Carberry.

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead, or worry about selection at this stage, just do the right things... and give myself the best chance to play in the Tests. As and when Test selection comes up, if I’ve done enough then it’s to be.”

Carberry admits he was pleasantly surprised to be named in England’s squad when it was announced in September.

He said: “I haven’t played Test cricket for three years, so there was a slight element of surprise but a nice one.

“All I can say is ‘What a great opportunity for me’.

“It’s been a long three years to get back... and a lot of hard work and graft has gone into it.”

He has learned other skills along the way to fall back on, but wants to be centre-stage first.

“I don’t see myself as a ‘reserve’ anything. I’ve come out here with the mentality to play, and I think that’s the right mentality,” he said.

“If it’s not to be, then good luck to the guys who do play. All I can do is try to knock on the door.”

The two casualties of the day were Western Australia wicketkeeper Tom Triffitt, who was struck in the face standing up without a helmet to Michael Beer and who required six stitches below his right eye, and seam bowler Burt Cockley, who limped out of the attack in his third over and retired to undergo scans on a knee injury.