Carberry covers for Collingwood

Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry made a century for the Performance Programme in Pretoria earlier this month

England have added Hampshire opening batsman Michael Carberry to their squad for the third Test against South Africa as cover for Paul Collingwood.

Collingwood yesterday dislocated his left index finger during England’s fielding practice ahead of the fourth day at Kingsmead.

Although x-rays showed no break, Collingwood - who struck 91 in England’s innings-and-98-run victory - played no further part in the game.

However, England are optimistic that he will still be fit to take part at Newlands in the next Test of the four-match series, starting on January 3.

Carberry is one of four A-graded players in this winter's England Performance Programme, and made an even 100 against Gauteng in the first of their two tour matches in Pretoria earlier this month.

The 29-year-old left-hander made a century for England Lions against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in May last year, having joined his third county from Kent in 2005.

Carberry also had a prolific 2009 in the county game, making more than 1,200 LV= County Championship runs at an average of almost 70.