Winning the Big Bash League with Perth Scorchers was the perfect ending to Michael Carberry’s“enjoyable trip” to Australia.
The Hampshire batsman, a year on from representing England in the Ashes Down Under, overcame a frustrating start to his career at the Furnace to hit three half-centuries and finish fifth-top run-scorer in the tournament with 266 in 10 innings.
The 34-year-old’s upturn in form led to him becoming a fan favourite and that status increased further when he was at the crease as the Scorchers defended the Big Bash title with a last-ball victory over Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels’ Sydney Sixers in Canberra yesterday.
Carberry, the first Englishman on the winning team in a Big Bash final since the league was rebranded to city-based franchises four years ago, told ecb.co.uk: “It’s brilliant.
"We have had a great campaign, we have had some ups and down through the campaign, but we have shown through the tournament that we are that team that is prepared to stick in and fight right to the wire and the final was no different.
“Thankfully we got over the line. It (his time with the Scorchers) has had its moments. At first there was quite a lot of pressure to deal with.
“I obviously didn’t get off to a great start in matches, but credit to Justin Langer and the coaching staff here - they have been magnificent, very patient and have done everything they can to help me find some fluency.
“I am thankful that I have been able to repay them in the important games when it counted.
“All round it has been an enjoyable trip. I am glad that I have played a small part in helping them achieve more success.”
Carberry, a two-time Twenty20 winner with Hampshire, drew on all his experience at the death to help Perth over the line.
The left-hander, with his side needing eight from the last over, showed his cool by scooping Brett Lee, playing the final game of his glittering career, for four from the first delivery and then took three runs from the next two.
However, the former Australia paceman hit back with wickets in successive balls to leave Yasir Arafat on strike for the final delivery with the scores tied.
What an unbelievable finish as two @hantscricket players see the @ScorchersBBL over the line. #CongratsCarbspic.twitter.com/FQvhARCETZ
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) January 28, 2015
Carberry’s team-mate at Hampshire this season scampered through for a single into the leg side and only made it home when Sixers skipper Moises Henriques missed the chance of a run-out by fumbling the throw at the non-striker’s end.
Carberry continued: “In that situation it is do or die really. Binga (Lee) is a great bowler at the death and he has proved that through his career.
“I just tried to calm Yasir down, he was quite calm coming out there, and we were clear in our minds about what we were going to do.
“We got something on the ball, both tried to run it and luckily there was a mis-field and we got over the line.
“I have played in a lot of games where there have been tight finishes and you try and call on that experience.
“We said in our changing rooms that we were going to try and keep calm, breathe and just play the next ball, that is all you can do.
VIDEO | Re-live the heart-stopping moment we clinched the #BBL04 title with an Arafat quick single. Watch: http://t.co/OxcAupUsMF #back2back
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 28, 2015
“I wasn’t at that end so there was not much I could do. All I could do was give my mate as much encouragement as I could and hope for the best that he would get something on it and complete the run.”
Carberry has been well supported during his time with the Scorchers, not just by the fans but also coach Langer.
He added: “Me and Justin have worked tirelessly at getting some fluency out here and working hard on my technique.
“I have really enjoyed working with him; he is a fantastic coach in the making. He has got a great set-up here and a great squad of boys.
“I would dearly love to come back, but that is to be arranged hopefully. If not, then I can look back on this as a very proud moment.”