Mascarenhas joins IPL with Hampshire's blessing

Hampshire insist they have reached a happy compromise with Dimitri Mascarenhas in allowing the all-rounder to play in the Indian Premier League.

Mascarenhas yesterday became the first England international to sign up for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament when he was signed for £50,000 by Jaipur at the latest player auction. The 30-year-old will not play in the whole event, which begins next month and runs until 1 June, but will miss two weeks of Hampshire's domestic programme in May.

Hampshire will receive compensation from the IPL and Mascarenhas has agreed to extend his contract with the county to the end of the 2010 season.

"I am delighted for Dimi and I am delighted for Hampshire," chairman Rod Bransgrove said. "It will be limited to times when it is convenient for us and we have secured the services of a very influential player. He has been a great servant to the club and I hope the members will see this as a good compromise."