Kolkata: We have heard of Yuvraj Singh battling with cancer successfully to make a comeback to international cricket. Yuvi no doubt is an inspiration. But wait a minute guys! There is another story of a cricketer who battled the dreaded disease and is now, back on the pitch. We are talking about English cricketer Michael Carberry who scored a hundred in his comeback match for Hampshire against Cardiff University at the Rose Bowl. The comeback man scored 100 off 121 deliveries in his innings.
Carberry who has represented England in six Tests and as many ODIs, was diagnosed with a tumour last year and underwent a surgery before returning to the game. And this is not the first time, in 2011, Carberry, had blood clots on his lung. “I would like to thank my family, the club, the supporters and my teammates worldwide for all the kind messages of support and love through another very tough time in my career and life,” he was quoted. Carberry has however said he hasn’t fully recovered.
The 36-year-old left-hander made his Test debut against Bangladesh at Chittagong in 2010. His last Test was against Australia at Sydney in 2014. Carberry’s debut ODI was against Ireland in Dublin in 2013 and he last played the format at the international level against Sri Lanka in 2014. He scored 345 runs in 12 Test innings at an average of 28.75. In ODIs he averages a disappointing 19 though.
If we look back in time, there are quite a few cricketers who met with cancer in the midst of their careers, but that was never a deterring factor. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke fought skin cancer to make his way back into the Australian side. His fellow Australian Ashle Noffke too was diagnosed with skin cancer. However, despite making a comeback to first-class cricket, Noffke could never earn his place back in the Australian side. Another Australian, Simon O’Donnell’s career was at stake when he developed two lumps on his ribs, but he fought adversities to return playing for his country. Current Aussie wicket-keeper Matthew Wade too was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 16, but he recovered from it and is now an important part of the Australian team.
Then there was ex-South African batsman Dave Callaghan who fought testicular cancer to come back into the South African team to score a spectacular hundred against New Zealand in 1993. India’s JP Yadav’s story is another example of how a cricketer diagnosed with cancer countered the challenge and made his way back to the ground. And Yuvi’s story is already part of folklore. Carberry like others has proved that if one has the determination even the most difficult of adversities can be fought. And he certainly has set an example like others. Kudos!
(With inputs from Hindustan Times)