The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Mascarenhas back in England’s ODI squad

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Mascarenhas back in England’s ODI squad

Ted Corbett

CRICKET / His rival for opening spot is Swann

Photo: Getty Images

COMEBACK MAN: Dimitri Mascarenhas returns to England’s one-day squad for the series against New Zealand. —

LONDON: Dimitri Mascarenhas returns to England’s one-day squad for the series against New Zealand next month after his stint with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League which proves that the England and Wales Cricket Board holds no grudge against those who go on a Twenty20 money-making adventure.

His return opens the door for those who fancy their chances in the hurly-burly of quick-hit cricket especially now that the ECB has left an open window next spring.

Kevin Pietersen who has made no secret of his desire to take part in the Twenty20 matches — “the ECB have cost me a million pounds,” he said in a recent article — will be pleased at this decision even if they have to wait 10 months to collect their millions.

Another duty

Before that day dawns however Mascarenhas, now captain of Hampshire — where Pietersen is one of his players — as well as its main all-rounder, may have another duty to perform. There is no obvious opening pinch-hitter in the 14-man squad now that Matt Prior, the former England wicket-keeper, has failed to recapture his place and Phil Mustard, another keeper-opener, has been dropped.

So Mascarenhas might get the nod to go in first with Alastair Cook, a right and left combination as well as a Test-style batsman and a stroke player.

Mascarenhas, 31, has made massive strides since he was picked out by Shane Warne when the latter first joined Hampshire as its overseas player and captain.

His main rival for the opening spot will be spin bowler Graeme Swann who sneaks into the side ahead of the Test match-winner Monty Panesar, presumably on the basis of his superior batting skills.

The opening vacancy occurs because the selectors have again refused to consider Andrew Strauss for all his century and two fifties in England’s three Test innings against New Zealand. That leaves a vacancy for a captain should Paul Collingwood, who has been carrying a shoulder injury in the two Tests, be forced to rest in one match. Once again the spotlight will be on Mascarenhas whose leadership at Hampshire has been highly praised this season.

Don’t rush it, Freddie

As Geoff Miller, the national selector, made the announcement, he took the opportunity to encourage the injury-plagued Andrew Flintoff to take his time about recovering from his latest affliction, a side strain which is expected to keep him out for another three weeks.

He also confirmed that Matthew Hoggard would be playing for Yorkshire soon after his thumb was broken by his Test fast bowling pal Steve Harmison.

The squad: Paul Collingwood (capt.), Tim Ambrose, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Luke Wright, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett.

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