Carberry century overshadowed by freak head injury

The former England Test opener’s stunning 107-run knock, though, was overshadowed by a freak head injury suffered by Middlesex captain Adam Voges at the Ageas Bowl.

Voges, who had earlier elected to bowl without a toss, was struck on the back of the head by a ball lobbed by sub Ollie Rayner and missed by wicketkeeper John Simpson, after Carberry had hit one of his 14 boundaries.

The Australian fell straight to the floor before being helped off the pitch by two physios – and was subsequently taken to hospital with suspected concussion and will not make another appearance in this game.

Batsman Carberry looked in fine fettle from the start, especially cracking full balls straight down the ground – after starting the season with disappointing innings of three, 18 and 19.

He reached 50 in 114 balls, before continuing in similar style, timing the ball superbly, and celebrated reaching three figures from 184 deliveries with a crisp back-foot shot through extra cover.

Carberry had seen three teammates come and go during his vigil.

Jimmy Adams, on his first outing of the season after an ankle injury suffered while ducking a ball in the nets in pre-season, edged to Nick Compton at second slip in the sixth over.

His captain James Vince appeared as graceful as ever, showcasing a glorious cover drive on a number of occasions before he was well caught by Voges at first slip for 25.

Will Smith also clipped through to the slip cordon, before Liam Dawson came to the crease to begin a 100-run partnership with Carberry.

The latter reached his ton but departed soon after, as James Harris collected his 350th first-class wicket.

But Dawson carried on the reigns waiting for bad balls in a watchful knock – the type which showed a different side to his often exuberant game and alerts selectors to your presence – with Angus Fraser watching on.

The 26-year-old, one of Hampshire’s walking wounded at Yorkshire a fortnight ago, is unlikely to bowl due to an abdominal strain but was at ease with a bat in his hand.

He moved past his 50 in 117 balls.

Adam Wheater held up the other end with a patient 25 from 47 balls, before he was victim to Tim Murtagh’s second wicket of the day, not getting far enough forward to a leg before.

Ryan McClaren then fell in a similar vain to Toby Roland-Jones.

Chris Wood continued the flurry of late wickets with two overs left, another lbw casualty, before Dawson closed out the day on 87 not out – Hampshire on top at 315 for seven.