England all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas has been signed by Jaipur for the forthcoming Indian Premier League tournament.

Mascarenhas, who featured in the recent one-day series in New Zealand, is the first England player to join the big-money Twenty20 event.

The 30-year-old was snapped up at the competition's latest player auction this morning.

Playing in the IPL would mean Mascarenhas missing the start of the English domestic season with Hampshire.

Hampshire have been badly affected by the new Twenty20 tournaments in India with skipper Shane Warne having already signed to captain and coach Jaipur.

It is also unlikely their overseas player for 2008, New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, will be permitted to play due to his involvement in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

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