Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry shocked by Lions call-up

Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry has admitted to being shocked after being named in the England Lions team for their tour match against New Zealand.

The four-day match is at Grace Road on 9-12 May and Carberry said he did not expect to get the call from selectors.

The 32-year-old won one Test cap in 2010, but has not been involved since.

"It came as a bit of a shock to be honest. As you know, I haven't been involved with England for a while," Carberry told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's an opportunity to play against a Test side and get some first-class runs as well, so I'm looking forward to the game.

"I haven't been selected [for England] for three years, so I put it to one side, [but] it's another opportunity to get some runs, so I'll treat it like any other game."

Despite his call-up, the left-handed opener, who also played for the Lions against West Indies last May, does not expect it to lead to a place in the senior England side.

"As players, you pretty much know when you are in the fold or not and I have to be realistic. It is three years since I played my Test match and I've heard diddly squat since that time," he said.

"To start to think now that doors might open, I can't. I'm at the back of the queue and behind quite a few young batsman now, so I'm not really sure where I'm at to be honest in terms of the whole England set-up.

"I'm at an age now where there is no point going to bed worrying about it. You've just got to do what you're paid to do and that is to go and score runs and be a good pro, which is what I pride myself on.

"If the England thing comes up again, it would be dream come true, but at my age you have to realistic."