London, Mar.7 (ANI): England new boy Michael Carberry has former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne to thank for saving his career.

The Aussie spin legend convinced Carberry he had a future when he was on the verge of quitting.

After failing to hold down a regular spot with Kent, Carberry consulted a careers advice officer as he began to prepare for life after cricket.

But a pep talk from his best pal and former England bowler Alex Tudor convinced him a move to Warne’s Hampshire would reinvigorate him.

The News of The World quoted Carberry, as saying: “I got to a crossroads and needed to get on with something else. I remember getting home one day and saying to my mum, ‘I’ve had enough of this’.

“I was 25 years old but it was 50-50 whether I quit cricket or not. Thankfully, after a few chats with a few close people they got me on the horse and I joined Hampshire. Playing under Shane was a massive spur.

“He’s a great influence as a cricketer and the rest is history. The set-up at Hampshire allowed me to be totally 100 per cent backed.

“It made a massive difference, you need a Shane Warne or whoever to actually back your ability. We all know Shane Warne’s one of the most attack-minded cricketers we’ve seen. That sort of spilt on to me and he gave me the licence to go out and show my flair.”

Opener Carberry cracked 1,251 first-class runs last season at 69.50 to alert the England selectors.

And with skipper Andrew Strauss missing the Bangladesh series to rest at home, the uncapped 29-year-old will today be given a chance to stake his claim.

Alastair Cook’s injury-hit team take on Bangladesh ‘A’ in Chittagong in a three-day warm-up game, before the First Test gets underway on Friday.

The alternatives would see Ian Bell or the out-of-form Jonathan Trott open with Cook but, with England likely to play seven batsmen, Carberry’s place seems assured.

Warne said: “Michael is probably the most in-form opener on the county circuit.

“But what happens if he makes three hundreds and Cook makes a couple of runs? That creates selection issues.”

The biggest question marks remain over fast bowlers Stuart Broad and Graham Onions, who will both sit out today’s game with back spasms.

Tim Bresnan and Liam Plunkett are in line to replace them, as Cook and coach Andy Flower ponder the make-up of their team. (ANI)