MICHAEL Carberry’s move from opening batsman to No.4 is the challenge he needs now his England career is over.

That is the view of Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein, who reckons Carberry’s move down the order can prolong his county career, writes Simon Walter.

After the 35 year-old’s unbeaten 37 in his first outing at No.4 boosted Hampshire’s hopes of saving their Specsavers County Championship match against Somerset at The Ageas Bowl, Benkenstein said: “We’re trying to find some motivation for Carbs.

“It’s tough when you don’t have England anymore, you lose your oxygen. I’ve seen that with a few senior players in my career as a captain.

“The new ball is tough in England and this is a chance for Carbs to bat with a bit more freedom and take him away from the new ball.

“At this level you have to have a real hunger to play. It’s not easy out there. If it was, everyone would do it.

“I’ve seen it with Steve Harmison. He was No 1 in the world and a few years later wasn’t bowling a ball.

“As a batsman you have to have that hunger for runs because you are getting older and guys are getting faster and better with ambition to play for England.

“You tend to see guys drop off quite quickly [after their England careers].

“Whatever it is, you have to find something that gets you up in the morning to actually fight.

“That motivation comes in different forms whether it’s own personal runs, winning matches, money...

“Carbs definitely wants to play so that’s a very positive thing and this gives him a mini challenge that I’m hoping stimulates him a bit.”

Carberry was 33 by the time he played five of his six Tests and all seven of his limited-overs internationals (including six ODIs), but it now more than two years since his last England appearance.

“When you’ve had one thing as a goal and suddenly it goes...he’s aware, he battles with it but you can’t manufacture it,” continued Benkenstein.

“It’s either there or it isn’t it. Certain people really love the game and want to carry on. Others are doing it for a specific reason and that reason’s gone.

“You can’t lie to your real inner self. When that ambition and fight is gone you’re left with very little.”

Carberry had a disappointing season’s aggregate of 238 runs at 21.63 before Somerset’s visit.

But after the loss of three wickets in 11 overs he and Sean Ervine added an unbroken 52 as Hampshire reached 173-4, still 82 behind Somerset's 474-8 declared, before the last 41 overs of the penultimate day were lost to rain.

“If those two bat for some time we’ll be fine,” added Benkenstein.