ALL-ROUNDER OSBOURNE PICKED BY INDIANS [12/03/08 17:20:55]

Following Dimitri Mascarenhas becoming the first England player to be signed by the Indian Premier League, Abberton 5th team all-rounder Jack Osbourne

(pictured right) has been recruited by Manningtree's Mogul Tandoori for a bargain 37p to play in the English offshoot of the competition's for part of this summer and the next two years.

Though sanctioned by the world governing body ICC, the lucrative EIPL has caused huge controversy. The EIPL Twenty20 tournament, which starts on 19 April and ends on 1 June, is already estimated to have earned the Indian restuarants a staggering £82 from selling franchises and broadcasting rights.

Osbourne has been described (possibly my his mother) as a truly versatile all-rounder. Originally an opening batsman, he can bowl almost anything (as he frequently does) with either arm and displayed an astonishing grasp of wicket-keeping fundamentals when given the chance last season.

Financial compensation for the time he will be away from Abberton has been agreed with the Mogul and the curry establishment have accepted that if Osbourne managed to gain selection for any of the club's three senior sides, then he would be temporarily released.

As Osbourne is not centrally contracted with England (the English game's governing body) the ECB, is not directly involved. Anita Sstockbridge, the ECB spokeswoman, told the website "Obviously the ECB is going to monitor this and is in constant dialogue with clubs, but for now it's a matter for Abberton."