Set a victory target of 296, England Lions were comfortably placed at 146 for one against Central Zone on the penultimate day of the four-day Duleep Trophy match in Vadodara on Tuesday.
For the visitors, Carberry, who was earlier dropped by Jalaj Saxena off medium pacer Sanjay Bangar, was unbeaten on 71 which he made from 136 balls with the help of 12 fours and a six.
Yardy was also undefeated on 57 which was punctuated with seven fours. He has faced 113 balls and spent 134 minutes at the crease for his half century.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 23 for two, the Central Zone folded their innings at 180 and squandered the momentum they had taken after dismissing the visitors cheaply.
The 58-run fifth wicket partnership between captain Mohammed Kaif and Harsnad Rawle helped Central Zone reach 97 after they were reeling at 39 for four.
Jalaj Saxena (27) and Sanjib Saynyal (37) then added 60 runs for the eighth wicket to bring a semblance of respectibility to their team's score.
Overnight batsmen Vineet Saxena (29) and Sanjay Bangar (2) could not do much and were out soon after the resumption of the third day's play.
Kaif (42) was dropped by Yardy at extra cover when he was on 26, but he could not capitalise much on the opportunity.
First hour's play on the final day will be crucial for both teams.
If Central Zone bolwers manage to exploit the pitch to their advanatage, they still have a chance to come back in the game.
