Shane Warne has spent the past few days tearing strips off just about every England player, but Test bolter Michael Carberry says he credits his career to the outspoken Australian great.
Carberry's share in the biggest first-wicket partnership ever recorded at Bellerive Oval has almost certainly booked him a spot opening the batting for England in the first Test at Brisbane, with Joe Root - one of Warne's victims - bumped down to No.5 and set for an Ashes demotion.
England destroyed Australia A on day one of their tour match in Hobart on Wednesday, with Carberry 153 not out, Alastair Cook unbeaten on 154 and the tourists a mammoth 0-318 at stumps.
The dumping of Root came as a surprise, despite Warne claiming he'd be "crucified" by the Australian attack. England made their intentions clear for Brisbane by promoting Carberry to open alongside captain Cook in a one-sided tour match in which Australia A, a fast bowler short, were humiliated and the tourists eased into form.
Carberry, who also made 78 against a WA XI last week, continued to repay England's faith, setting up an incredible return for the 33-year-old who played one Test against Bangladesh in 2010 before his career was threatened by a serious blood clot to the lung.
"By the grace of God I'm here to enjoy what I'm doing now and I think when things like that happen it gives you perspective on your cricket," Carberry said.
"It made me relax more and enjoy the game for what is."
But before illness intervened, Carberry said it was Warne, a teammate of his at Hampshire in the mid 2000s, who had the biggest influence on his emergence as a Test-quality opener.
"I think Shane Warne is basically the reason why I actually got a chance to play Test cricket," he said.
"I was a young guy a little bit lost in county cricket, and didn't really get an opportunity. I came to Hampshire and from day one he made me feel very much at home and he gave me the backing any young player needs."
Warne hasn't been so kind to Cook, but the England skipper would have been delighted with a chance to play himself into form after missing last week's tour match with a back complaint.
Cook decimated Australia with the bat back in 2010-11 and this was an ominous start to his latest trip down under.
For the first time in over 15 years England managed not to lose a wicket batting for an entire day's play.
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