More England players to follow Mascarenhas footsteps

London, Apr 14 (UNI) England's only representative in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dimitri Mascarenhas is hopeful that the ECB would allow certain players to participate in the next edition of the lucrative Twenty20 tournament even if it conflicts with the English season.

''A clash with the English season would make it harder for them,'' Mascarenhas said.

''The England Cricket Board (ECB) can tell them to rest or play for their counties. For the others, it is up to the counties and they may help their players because it is such a good opportunity.

''I know the IPL want more English players. I think non-contracted players will go, like Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara.

Luke Wright is a good hitter and, perhaps, Chris Tremlett,'' he added.

While players like Kevin Pieterson have given importance to their domestic season, Mascarenhas was roped in by Rajasthan Royals for 100,000 dollars.

But the England middle-order batsman said the inaugural IPL will be a huge success and with time will attract more and more foreign players.

''I do not know what to expect,'' he said. ''But if you look at the players and the companies involved, I do not see how it can fail.

''Really, it is the experience of being there that grabs me.

If I do well, there is the opportunity to earn more next year.

Being in New Zealand around the first auction was funny because we heard that their players were listening as things happened.

''Brendon McCullum went for 700,000 dollars, Jacob Oram for 675,000 dollars, Dan Vettori for 625,000 dollars and then Scott Styris for only 175,000 dollars,'' he said.

Mascarenhas will play in the tournament only from May 12 to 26, however, he is confident playing the tournament in 2009 and 2010.

He replaced Shane Warne as the Hampshire captain and it was Warne only who contacted Mascarenhas to play for the Rajasthan Royals.

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