MPCA: Former England cricketer Dimitri Mascarenhas to play T20s with Sorrento

Sorrento has signed a former England all-rounder who once hit five consecutive sixes in a ODI against India.

England's Dimitri Mascarenhas hits a six from the bowling of India's Yuvraj Singh at the Oval, London, Wednesday Sept. 5, 2007. Picture: (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

A sighting around town has led to Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association club Sorrento landing former England international Dimitri Mascarenhas as a boom recruit.

The 46-year-old, who played 34 white-ball games for England, will line-up for the Sharks in their Twenty20 match against Rye on Tuesday evening.

Mascarenhas famously hit India’s Yuvraj Singh for consecutive sixes off the final five balls of England’s innings in a One Day International at the Oval in 2007.

His 30-run over is still an England record.

Dimitri Mascarenhas and Sorrento president Ben McDonald.

Sorrento playing-coach Seb Gotch said he reached out to Mascarenhas, whose two sons play junior cricket locally.

“I just sent him a message because I actually saw him driving,” Gotch said.

“We caught up and had a chat over a beer.

“I threw the idea at him to play the T20s.

“I think he loves the game still, like he’s just obsessed with cricket.”

Mascarenhas was one of Shane Warne’s closest cricket mates.

The pair became great mates during their time playing together at Hampshire.

The late, great Warne is buried at the Sorrento cemetery, nearby to the cricket oval.

Dimitri Mascarenhas and Shane Warne were mates on and off the field. Picture: Joe Giddens - PA Images via Getty Images)

Mascarenhas is likely to open the batting for Sorrento when it hosts Rye in the opening round of the Jack Peacock Cup T20 tournament on Tuesday, at 5.15pm.

Several MPCA clubs will have marquee players when the T20 competition blasts off.

Victorian Sub-District run machine Ricky Damiano will play for Long Island which hosts Ballam Park.

Former Adelaide Strikers star Ian Cockbain will slot into the Langwarrin side against Delacombe Park at Lloyd Park, at 5pm. The game is the inaugural Simon Poynton Memorial Cup - “Let’s Beat Bowel Cancer”, honouring Simon “Slimsy” Poynton, who died last month. He played for both clubs.