Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry has thanked the "cricket family" for its support as he prepares to start the new season less than a year after being diagnosed with cancer.

Carberry, 36, has been in outstanding form in pre-season and scored 107 in an inter-squad friendly at The Ageas Bowl yesterday.

Earlier this month he made 58 against Nottinghamshire in the first innings of his comeback and 68 against Northants on the pre-season trip to Barbados.

Carberry, who was a diagnosed with cancer last July, also smashed a 41-ball 78 as Hampshire amassed 255-8 in a T20 win against Durham University in the Caribbean.

In a statement, Carberry said: "I would like to thank my family, the club, the supporters and my teammates worldwide for all the kind messages of support and love through another very tough time in my career and life.

"There is still a long way to go to being ‘recovered’ fully, but the outpour of support from the cricket family has helped massively in getting me back playing, and I’m looking forward to another great summer with Hampshire.

"In regards to the media, I would like to thank you for respecting my privacy in dealing with my illness and I would like to ask for this to continue on my return."