Jimmy Adams will replace Dimitri Mascarenhas as captain sooner than expected.

The former British Universities and Loughborough UCCE skipper will captain Hampshire in their third Championship game of the season after Mascarenhas's involvement with the Indian Premier League was brought forward on the eve of the new county season.

Mascarenhas was due to miss the Championship match against Surrey at the Rose Bowl and five Friends Provident Trophy group games from May 12-26.

But now he will be with the Rajasthan Royals, the IPL's Jaipur franchise, from April 27-May 12, when he will miss Hampshire's Championship match against Somerset at Taunton and only three FP Trophy games.

The change of dates also means Mascarenhas will be able to squeeze in an extra game for the Rajasthan Royals.

It is still unclear who will replace Mascarenhas as Hampshire's one-day captain.

Kevin Pietersen could be a contender as the ECB has made him available to play in two of the three FP Trophy games that Mascarenhas is due to miss.

But what is certain is that Adams will captain Hampshire in all the first-class matches that Mascarenhas is unavailable for - starting with the match against Justin Langer's Somerset, which begins at Taunton on May 7.

Adams said: "It's a great honour. Captaining Hampshire depends on my form as well as Dimi's availability but when the chance comes I'll be pretty nervous and very proud.

"It came as a surprise when I was told. I knew I might be in the frame from chats I've had with Paul Terry and Shane Warne, but it has come sooner than I imagined.

"In an ideal world I would concentrate on what I've been doing but I'll give it my best shot."

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