Mascarenhas 'positive' about international ambitions

London, May 16 (UNI) All-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas does not believe his involvement in the cash rich IPL will harm his England future but will stop short of advising others to follow his lead.

Mascarenhas, the only England-qualified player to have played in the IPL so far, is hoping Hampshire will sanction his return to the sub-continent to play for the Rajasthan Royals in the semi-finals and final.

''Obviously there is a little bit of a risk involved,'' Mascarenhas said.

Having already spent two weeks in India this summer, Mascarenhas has no regrets but does concede there is uncertainty surrounding the new IPL phenomenon.

''I suppose I am a little bit concerned,'' he conceded.

''But as long as I just keep performing here and doing as well as I can, then I hope they (England) will pick me again.

''I don't think that having played for the IPL will affect my England prospects. Speaking to (coach) Peter Moores and (national selector) Geoff Miller about it, they were fairly positive.

Obviously they have given me no guarantees, but I feel fairly positive about it - because it is ICC sanctioned,'' he said.

''Hampshire have allowed me to go, so in that respect there was no problem with it,'' he added.

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