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."
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
