HAMPSHIRE batsman Michael Carberry made a painstaking hundred for the England Performance squad yesterday.

The left-hander struck 15 fours in a 251-ball knock on his way to 134 on the first day of the squad's four-day match against an MRF XI in Chennai, India.

He shared a century opening stand with Kent's Joe Denly (55) while Worcestershire keeper Steven Davies fell one short of his half-century as England closed on 288 for three against a ten-man attack.

Carberry was selected for the Performance squad's tour of India after scoring 1,067 first-class runs at 50.80 last season and was the last wicket to fall, bowled by first-change bowler Pradeep Jayaprakash as the home side used ten bowlers.

Former Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon, the squad's batting coach, has been impressed with the Rose Bowl man.

He said: "Carbs has made a positive impression on all the coaches with his work ethic.

"He's been focused and has worked extremely hard throughout the net practice sessions and practice matches we've had."

Carberry believes his hard work has paid off.

He said: "There are certain techniques you have to master out here that you wouldn't anywhere else in the world.

"You need to adjust to the lack of pace, which I find quite tough, and be more of an artist when you bat, more discreet and more adept with your hands and clever with how you manouevre the ball.

"I'm also working more on my balance at the crease."

More Hampshire and local cricket in today's Daily Echo.