History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

MASCARENHAS HOPING TO MAKE UP FOR TWENTY20 DISAPPOINTMENT

Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas wants to make up for the disappointment of missing out on England's squad for the $20m Stanford Super Series by leading his side to their first County Championship title in 35 years.

The 30-year-old all-rounder's team face leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Wednesday, knowing that victory could steal them the title - an amazing achievement considering they were at the foot of the table only weeks ago.

Mascarenhas, who took over as Hampshire captain from retired Australian great Shane Warne at the start of the season, said: "A couple of months ago, we were rock bottom, so it's been a huge turn around for us, and now he have a chance to actually win the Championship.

"There's a lot to play for. There's four teams that can win it and there's four teams that can get relegated, so it bodes well for a great round this week."

The only English player to take part in the Indian Premier League, Mascarenhas had been a regular in England's limited overs set-up since making his ODI debut in July 2007 and has 10 Twenty20 caps to his name, making him one of the more experienced players in the format.

But his exclusion from England's 15-man squad to play the West Indies All Stars on November 1 has left him angry - so much so that he demanded a meeting with head of national selectors Geoff Miller.

"It would have been nice to play for England but that's not to be," he continued. "I didn't get a call so I rang up a few days after and organised a meeting with Miller.

"He didn't say a lot really. There are four selectors and they select what they think is the best side. Unfortunately there was no spot for me.

"But I've been in for a year and played every single Twenty20 game in that year. What is disappointing is to have been involved for every game and then miss out on the big one."

"[Miller] said that the door is still open but we'll have to wait and see because you can't say I haven't been performing - I'm only 12 runs short of my best ever year with the bat in the Championship.

"Samit Patel came in and did well so he has more than warranted his spot but I still think there was a spot for me, as do a lot of people."

Labels: cricket, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Hampshire, Stanford Super Series

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:25 pm | Permalink | Comments

MASCARENHAS INFLUENCED BY WARNE

Shane Warne was the main reason why his former team-mate Dimitri Mascrenhas signed up for the lucrative Indian Premier League, the new Hampshire captain has revealed. Ex-skipper Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of spin bowling in the history of the game, encouraged the England selectors to pick all-rounder Mascrenhas last year.

The 30-year-old made his One Day International debut in July and has won 10 caps for his county, and Warne has used his powers of persuasion to good effect again. The blond leg spinner is set to captain and coach the Jaipur Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and wanted his Hampshire friend in the team.

“Shane was a huge influence on my decision,” Mascrenhas, who featured in the recent ODI series in New Zealand, admitted. “He rang me and asked would I be interested after the first auction. I said ‘Yeah, I’d be interested’ and that started the ball rolling. I only just sneaked in at the second auction.”

And when Warne announced his retirement from county cricket last month, it was a great surprise for Mascrenhas. He continued: “It was definitely a bit of a shock when Shane announced he was leaving. He decided that his kids and family were more important which is a good enough excuse for me.”

On the IPL Twenty20 Mascrenhas added: “It’s a pretty easy game, you have just got to know how to do it. You have to score runs fast and bowl tight. And know when to use your variations. It’s all in the head.” And with the money he will earn – some of the top stars are reportedly being paid $180,000 for just signing on – he will treat himself to some jewellery. “I might buy some new earrings,” he smiled.

Labels: cricket, Dimitri Mascarenhas, England, Hampshire, Indian Premier League, Shane Warne

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 10:04 pm | Permalink | Comments

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.”

Labels: cricket, Dimitri Mascarenhas, English Cricket Board, Indian Premier League, International Cricket Council

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 9:55 pm | Permalink | Comments