Michael Carberry emotional after making return

Carberry made his England debut in Bangladesh in March 2010

Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry says his return to competitive cricket after serious illness means more than his Test debut for England.

The 30-year-old made his long-awaited comeback for Hampshire's second eleven this week against Kent.

Carberry has been out of action since suffering a blood clot on his lung in late 2010.

He told BBC Radio Solent: "Just getting back on to the field is probably my greatest achievement in the game."

Carberry continued: "It was quite an emotional day in a lot of ways. This beats all my centuries, my England cap, everything.

"I'd been looking forward to this day for nine months, and not only am I lucky to be back playing, I'm also lucky just to be on this planet at all."

The former Surrey and Kent opener made his solitary Test appearance for England in March 2010, scoring 30 and 34 in his two innings against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

"I needed to know that I could safely get back out there, without putting myself in any danger."

"It felt a bit weird for the first few balls, but it's good to get some time out in the middle. Nets are nets, nothing beats actually getting back out there.

"The bowling seemed about 20 or 30 mph quicker to start with!

"Now it's just a case of pushing on, and continuing to rack up time at the crease."

Carberry is hoping to be back in first-team contention for the LV County Championship trip to Sussex, which begins on 11 July at Hove.