IPL not the Wright move

Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright has joined fellow England colleagues Ravi Bopara and Sajid Mahmood in rejecting the chance to join the Indian Premier League

The 23-year-old was approached to play in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament but has decided to focus his efforts on his international career.

"Obviously I was very pleased to be considered for the IPL, however, at the moment my main focus and priority is playing for my country," Wright said.

He added: "If the timings were different and it wasn't going to affect my chances of playing for England then it would be something I would seriously have to consider.

"I am now very much looking forward to the match against New Zealand which is obviously a great chance for me to prove myself in the longer version of the game and hopefully push for a Test place."

Mahmood has not played for his country for more than a year but hinted he could be tempted by the IPL if he continues to be ignored.

"A lot of people on the circuit are saying the IPL is the way forward," Mahmood told BBC Sport. "My aim is and always has been to play for England, but if you're not getting in the side, the IPL is a big carrot.

"I've had offers to join the IPL but I'm desperate to work my way back into the England side."

Lancashire later moved to deny that Mahmood had ever been offered a concrete offer and was instead the subject of an earlier, more general overture.

In a statement Lancashire said: "Sajid has never been offered any form of Indian Premier League contract. He had a vague inquiry a couple of months ago, which was never pursued further."