Michael Carberry of Hampshire has been called up by England as cover for Paul Collingwood for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, starting on January 3 (South Africa 6/4 draw 13/8 England 9/4 third Test – match prices).

Collingwood (6/1 Top Batsman – England (1st Innings)) suffered a dislocated left index finger in the warm-up on the fourth morning of the second Test, although an X-ray revealed no broken bones.

England are optimistic the Durham batsman will be ready to feature at Newlands in the next Test of the four-match series, but have rewarded left-handed top-order batsman Carberry for a stand-out season in county cricket in which he made more than 1,200 championship runs at an average of almost 70.

Collingwood reached 91 in England’s 574 for nine declared at Kingsmead but was not required to bat again as the tourists claimed an innings-and-98-run victory.

Carberry, 29, made a century for England Lions against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in May last year.