By Brad Elborough
Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer said it was only a matter of time before Michael Carberry took control of a Big Bash League game with his bat.
He did just that against the Brisbane Heat at the WACA Ground on Thursday night, scoring a match-winning 77 from just 37 balls.
Carberry hits a match winning 77 for the Scorchers against Brisbane Heat, following criticism about his form Credit: Will Russell
And in doing so, the Englishman has obviously won over the fans of his new side, with six boundaries and six balls over the fence clearing the way for an eight-wicket victory.
But he has had his critics.
His previous four innings netted him just 129 runs from 120 balls, at an average of 32.25, which included an unbeaten score of 69 in the loss to the Sydney Thunder on January 1.
Langer said Carberry was recruited because the Scorchers knew what he was capable of.
"It's just part of the business isn't it?" Langer said of the criticism that has followed Carberry.
"I remember Craig Simmons last year; I was the biggest chump in the world bringing him back and he's done alright for himself.
"He helped us win the BBL last year and the Matador Cup this year.
"We don't just bring in people willy nilly. We're selective of who we bring in. We know they're good people and good players.
"Michael Carberry is one of those and I thought it was just a matter of time before he did well for us."
Simmons, who now plays for Adelaide Strikers, scored just 17 runs in his first three innings for the Scorchers in BBL03 at an average of 5.67.
But Langer stayed with him and his next two innings were 102 (from 41 balls) against the Strikers and 112 (from 58 balls) against the Sydney Sixers in the semi-final.
Carberry, 34, started his career with Perth opening the batting, when he made 27 from 35 balls in a one-wicket loss to the Strikers in round one.
He is now batting down the order and in the three innings that he has batted at number four, he has scored 151 runs, while only being dismissed once.
He may just have found his spot for the remainder of the tournament.
"It was nice to contribute," he said.
"I felt an innings like that was on the horizon. I knew I had to keep chipping away at training and Justin (Langer) and the guys have been fantastic in that regard.
"(They have shown) a lot of patience and it's nice to be able to repay them."
The Scorchers sit second on the BBL table as they head to Hobart where they take on the Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena on Sunday.