“Further tests will be undertaken before the relevant treatment commences”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former England batsman Michael Carberry has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumour after he felt unwell in the past couple of days and underwent tests.

Carberry, who currently plays for Hampshire, was left out of the team’s County Championship match against Warwickshire this week in order to undergo tests, which was what Hampshire head coach Dale Benkenstein had said.

“Following recent reports about his health and now that he has spoken fully to his family, friends and team-mates, Hampshire can confirm that after a brief period of feeling unwell, a specialist has determined that Michael Carberry has a tumour that is cancerous. Further tests will be undertaken before the relevant treatment commences,” a Hampshire statement said.

“He is grateful for the messages of support that he has received and hopes that he can focus on his treatment whilst the privacy of those close to him is respected.”

Hampshire’s director of cricket Giles White and chairman Rod Bransgrove also expressed their disbelief and are hoping that Carberry makes a speedy recovery.

“It is terrible news, we are in shock,” White said. “Our thoughts are with Carbs and his family at the moment. He found out a couple of days ago. It has been a tough couple of days for him the past few days and hopefully he gets through this. We will stand by him all the way through to help him and support him in any way we can.”

Bransgrove added: “Michael has been part of the Hampshire Cricket family for 10 years and on behalf of everyone at and associated with the club, I would like to send him and his family our very best wishes at this very difficult time. ‘Carbs’ has taken on and beaten serious illness before and we will be doing all we can to make sure he does the same again this time.”

This is not the first time Carberry has been diagnosed with a serious problem as in November 2010, he was found to have potentially life-threatening blood clots in one of his lungs. The 35-year-old did not play again until July 2011, but prior to the condition being discovered, Carberry had complained of breathlessness while batting and fielding and he has since been taking medication in order to combat it.