HAMPSHIRE ROYALS captain Dimi Mascarenhas returns for tonight’s opening Friends Provident t20 game against the Kent Spitfires – and could also play in the crunch LV= County Championship match against Essex tomorrow morning.

Mascarenhas has not played all season because of an Achilles injury sustained while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League three months ago. But, subject to a fitness test this afternoon, the former England all-rounder will face Kent under the Rose Bowl floodlights, from 7pm.

The 32-year-old could also make his seasonal Championship bow against fellow strugglers Essex, which starts at 11.30am tomorrow.

Mascarenhas said: “I’m 95 per cent sure I’ll play against Kent and there’s even a chance for the Essex clash, but we’ll have to wait until I have a proper game before deciding.

“It’s been very frustrating to miss the first half of the season.

I had back injuries as a youngster but this has kept me out for longer than anything else.

“It’s been tough watching but I’m really looking forward to playing again.”

Mascarenhas will provide the balance Hampshire have missed and will be joined in the Royals team by fellow all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

The Pakistan star will make his debut after arriving yesterday afternoon.

Sri Lankan Rangana Herath also plays, effectively replacing Shahid Afridi as the Royals second overseas player, with Ajantha Mendis expected to arrive on July 1.

Mascarenhas added: “It’s a long tournament, so a lot of people are going to get the chance to play.

“We’ve got a very strong squad so we’re very confident of a successful campaign this year.”

Simon Jones is not ready for his Hampshire debut despite playing two matches for the seconds last week, but Kabir Ali is in contention to face Essex.

Kent have replaced South Africa star Makhaya Ntini with one of Rangana Herath’s Sri Lanka teammate, leg-spinner Malinga Bandara.

Hampshire (from): Adams, Lumb, Carberry, McKenzie, Vince, Ervine, Pothas, Cork, Mascarenhas, Razzaq, Briggs, Benham, Wood, Herath.