MASCARENHAS' ENGLAND AMBITIONS
Dimitri Mascarenhas has no regrets over his decision to play in the breakaway Indian Premier League later this month and has been assured that his international career will not be jeopardised. The Hampshire captain is the only Englishman to sign up for the IPL, though a raft of top players from other countries will also feature in the six-week tournament.
The English Cricket Board had threatened to black list players who went out to India, and even at the weekend ECB chief executive David Collier suggested that it would be hard for any Englishman to play both the IPL and for England, as the international schedule is so tight.
But 30-year-old Mascarenhas, who made his One Day International bow last July, insists that he has been informed that playing in the IPL will not hinder his international chances one bit. And further, he believes that playing against the best cricketers in the world will strengthen his case for selection.
He said: “I spoke to the ECB after I signed up for (to the IPL) and they were all positive about it.
“They said, ‘At this stage there will be no guarantees’, because they can’t make guarantees until they pick the side, and I’m one of those players who can’t be sure of a spot.
“But the International Cricket Council have sanctioned the tournament and all the other big names from other countries are doing it.
“So I’m going to try and perform for Hampshire and go over to India and perform, and hopefully I will get picked for England.”
Mascarenhas currently has 10 ODI, a batting average of 32 and a bowling average of 51. He is sure that there are more caps around the corner, especially if he can impress in India.
“If the England selectors see me getting 50 runs off 25 balls against Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar or these sorts of bowlers I don’t think it will go unnoticed, that’s for sure,” he continued.
“It’s the same again with my bowling – if I get a couple of wickets, getting some names out like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly, or (Ricky) Ponting, then it will help my cause.
“Playing and performing against the best players in the world on a big stage can’t do me any harm.”
Dimitri Mascarenhas has no regrets over his decision to play in the breakaway Indian Premier League later this month and has been assured that his international career will not be jeopardised. The Hampshire captain is the only Englishman to sign up for the IPL, though a raft of top players from other countries will also feature in the six-week tournament.
The English Cricket Board had threatened to black list players who went out to India, and even at the weekend ECB chief executive David Collier suggested that it would be hard for any Englishman to play both the IPL and for England, as the international schedule is so tight.
But 30-year-old Mascarenhas, who made his One Day International bow last July, insists that he has been informed that playing in the IPL will not hinder his international chances one bit. And further, he believes that playing against the best cricketers in the world will strengthen his case for selection.
He said: “I spoke to the ECB after I signed up for (to the IPL) and they were all positive about it.
“They said, ‘At this stage there will be no guarantees’, because they can’t make guarantees until they pick the side, and I’m one of those players who can’t be sure of a spot.
“But the International Cricket Council have sanctioned the tournament and all the other big names from other countries are doing it.
“So I’m going to try and perform for Hampshire and go over to India and perform, and hopefully I will get picked for England.”
Mascarenhas currently has 10 ODI, a batting average of 32 and a bowling average of 51. He is sure that there are more caps around the corner, especially if he can impress in India.
“If the England selectors see me getting 50 runs off 25 balls against Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar or these sorts of bowlers I don’t think it will go unnoticed, that’s for sure,” he continued.
“It’s the same again with my bowling – if I get a couple of wickets, getting some names out like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly, or (Ricky) Ponting, then it will help my cause.
“Playing and performing against the best players in the world on a big stage can’t do me any harm.”
Labels: cricket, Dimitri Mascarenhas, English Cricket Board, Indian Premier League, International Cricket Council
