Dimi Mascarenhas is on course to play in Hampshire’s Friends Provident t20 opener – and will make his comeback for the seconds today.

The Hampshire captain suffered a torn Achilles at the beginning of the Rajasthan Royals’ Indian Premier League campaign in March.

But he will play for the seconds against Somerset at Taunton Vale this week – and so will Simon Jones.

Mascarenhas will play in today’s one-day Trophy game and will be joined in the side by Jones for the three-day Second Eleven Championship match against the same opponents on the same ground, from tomorrow.

Former England all-rounder Mascarenhas, 32, had to cancel his scheduled stint with Tasmania in December because of a knee injury before suffering a slight Achilles tear in his second game of IPL 3 two months ago.

But it was always hoped he would be fit for the Hampshire Royals’ first t20 game of the season, against Kent under the Rose Bowl’s floodlights a week on Thursday.

Hampshire manager Giles White said: “Dimi’s on target and it won’t be long before we put a side out that inclues him and Simon.

“We’ll keep working hard with those two, they’ll make a difference when they come in.”

For full story and more Hampshire Cricket news, don't miss today's Daily Echo.