'Outsider' Carberry joins Bell, Trott to find early form ahead of Ashes

England's one-Test wonder Michael Carberry has joined star batsmen pair Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott in scoring half-centuries on a placid WACA surface against a second-string Western Australia (WA) side, leading England to a 2-270 in reply to the hosts' equally effortless declared total of 5-451.

Until Bell and Trott's 133-run stand, England's best contribution in the game had been made by Carberry, a player considered a rank outsider to claim the final position in their top six.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Carberry, who moved unimpeded to 78 before getting himself out, expressed his disappointment, saying that it was a 'bummer' getting out that way.

The report mentioned that Carberry's best chance of breaking into the main side will come if selectors decide to move opener Joe Root down the order, although the batsman appeared to be unworried, saying that he does not see that fact becoming a hindrance to him as he has made first-class hundreds while batting at five or six in the order.

Meanwhile, the report said that Bell and Trott, who were dominant on Australian shores three years ago, had no trouble at all reacquainting themselves to local conditions, becoming the eighth and ninth men respectively to pass 50, although they are sure to find stronger opposition than this at the first Test of the winter Ashes series at Gabba.

The report also said that Root had earlier earned in the match the dubious honour of becoming the first batsman in the game to be dismissed for less than 50, trapped in front by Jim Allenby for 36.