Warne backs Mascarenhas

Flintoff and Mascarenhas finishing an innings would be very tough to bowl to Warne on Mascarenhas

Hampshire skipper Shane Warne has hit out at England's selectors for failing to pick Dimitri Mascarenhas.

The 26-year-old was ignored when England's provisional 30 for the ICC Champions Trophy was named last week.

Warne described it as a "slap in the face" for Mascarenhas, who has shone with both bat and ball this summer.

"He's a guy who wants to play for England. I wouldn't put my head on the chopping block if I didn't think he warranted selection," said Warne.

"If you ask a lot of other county captains, they are very aware of what Dimmy Mascarenhas can do."

Warne's comments followed an innings of 79 by Mascarenhas in the Totesport League win over Kent Spitfires on Tuesday.

He recently made 52 off 22 balls in a Twenty20 Cup game against Middlesex the day after England's squad was announced and also took 5-14, including a hat-trick, against Sussex in the same competition.

Warne regards him as the second best England-qualified all-rounder behind Andrew Flintoff and believes he would certainly have made Australia's 30-man squad.

"I can't speak highly enough of him. He's not under-rated by the players that play against him, he's not under-rated by us.

"Unfortunately, either the selectors under-rate him or they don't rate him at all which is just disappointing.

Warne added: "I liken him to an Ian Harvey type. He can bowl in any situation, he's pretty good in the middle, he can bowl at the end or open the bowling if you want - and he's dangerous with the bat.

"In county cricket, Flintoff and Mascarenhas are probably the two most dangerous players around."