Carberry calls the shots

Michael Carberry fell nine runs short of reaching three figures in Mumbai © Getty Images

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Michael Carberry narrowly missed out on a century as England Lions opened their tour of India with an encouraging display against a Mumbai XI.

The Hampshire left-hander made a measured 91 to help the Lions reach 311 for eight by the close of play on the first day of the three-day tour match, their only fixture before the Duleep Trophy gets under way.

Carberry overcame the loss of Joe Denly and Michael Yardy inside the first three overs to hit 14 fours in his 181-ball innings, which spanned more than four hours.

He was ably assisted by Jonathan Trott, who contributed 67 to a stand of 129 for the fifth wicket.

They helped the Lions recover from 79 for four after they were put in to bat on a lively surface at the Barbourne Stadium, only for both to depart in the space of 12 balls to the impressive Usman Malvi, who ended the day with figures of 4-51.

James Foster and Adil Rashid (54 not out) helped repair the damage courtesy of a seventh-wicket stand worth 91, but Foster (43) was the first of two wickets to fall to former Test spinner Nilesh Kulkarni in the last five overs as Mumbai mounted a late rally.

England will begin their Duleep Trophy campaign on Sunday when their four-day encounter with Central Zone gets under way in Baroda.