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Mahmood: IPL could be massive draw for unpicked players

07/05/2008

Sajid Mahmood has claimed the temptation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) could be too great for English cricketers to resist.

The Lancashire fast bowler, who has not donned an England shirt since the 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia in January 2007, said the lucrative salaries offered by IPL sides could be too great an incentive for English players unable to force their way into the national side to ignore.

His comments come shortly after fellow England cricketer Ravi Bopara revealed he had turned down a six-figure offer from an IPL club in order to protect his international prospects.

"A lot of people on the circuit are saying the IPL is the way forward," said Mahmood.

"My aim is and always has been to play for England, but if you're not getting in the side the IPL is a big carrot."

The 26-year-old revealed he had been approached by two teams involved in the glitzy Twenty20 competition but had rejected the offers due to a wish to regain his England place.

"That's the reason why I got into cricket in the first place and the desire is still burning brightly," Mahmood explained.

"I've got a lot of years ahead of me in the game, and it would be great to spend those years representing my country and taking wickets.

"However, if things don't work out in that regard, the IPL is a massive draw. There is a hell of a lot of money on offer out there and a cricketer's career is a short one."

Dimitri Mascarenhas is currently the only English player involved in the IPL with the English Cricket Board (ECB) having taken a much firmer line against the six-week competition than other cricket authorities.