HAMPSHIRE'S Michael Carberry has thanked the cricketing family for their support as he prepares to start the new season less than a year after being diagnosed with cancer.

Carberry has been in outstanding form during pre-season, including scoring a century in an inter-squad friendly on Monday.

Earlier this month, Carberry made 58 against Nottinghamshire in the first innings of his comeback and 68 against Northants on the pre-season trip to Barbados.

Carberry, 35, also smashed a 41-ball 78 as Hampshire amassed 255 for eight in a T20 win against Durham University.

In a statement, Carberry said: “I would like to thank my family, the club, the supporters and my team-mates worldwide for all the kind messages of support and love through another very tough time in my career and life.

“There is still a long way to go to being ‘recovered’ fully, but the outpouring of support from the cricket family has helped massively in getting me back playing and I’m looking forward to another great summer with Hampshire.

“In regards to the media, I would like to thank them for respecting my privacy in dealing with my illness and I would like to ask for this to continue on my return.”