Mascarenhas joins IPL

11 March 2008

Dimitri Mascarenhas has signed for Jaipur © Getty Images

All-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas has become the first England player to sign up for the Indian Premier League.

The 30-year-old, who has been given permission by Hampshire to play in the forthcoming tournament, was snapped up by Jaipur for £50,000 at the latest player auction on Tuesday morning.

Mascarenhas will be available to play in the IPL between May 12 and May 26 this year and will miss a total of six matches for Hampshire, including five Friends Provident Trophy games and one LV County Championship match

In return Hampshire have agreed the following:

A two-year extension to Mascarenhas' existing Hampshire contract
Financial compensation for the time he will be away from Hampshire
Priority for Hampshire in the event of a clash of teams in any future Champions League-style tournament

Rod Bransgrove, chairman of Hampshire said: “I have been in dialogue with Dimi regarding this issue since November last year.

"I am delighted that we have been able to agree terms that enable us to secure Dimi’s services for a further two years, priority for Hampshire Cricket in the event of future world club Twenty20 competitions and adequate compensation during his absences.

"I am joined by the rest of his colleagues at Hampshire, in wishing him every success in this new venture.”

Hampshire, who will now issue Mascarenhas with a ‘no objection certificate’, have already been hit by the IPL as skipper Shane Warne will captain and coach the Jaipur franchise.

Jaipur were the biggest spenders at the IPL’s second auction, also signing Australia all-rounder Shane Watson (£62,500), South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel (£30,000) and Pakistan paceman Sohail Tanvir (£50,000).

Australians James Hopes (£150,000) and Luke Pomersbach (£25,000) were bought by Mohali along with New Zealand’s Kyle Mills (£75,000).

Another Kiwi currently playing against England, Ross Taylor, joined Bangalore for £50,000.

The New Zealanders will not play the full tournament due to their tour of England early in the summer.

South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince cost Mumbai £87,500.