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Hampshire confirmed yesterday that they were interested in signing Shane Warne, the Australia leg-spinner, for next summer.

Tony Baker, the county's chief executive, said that they had had preliminary talks with a view to bringing Warne to Southampton as a replacement for Nixon McLean, who is likely to be unavailable as a member of the West Indies tour party in England.

There is unlikely to be a queue for Warne's signature, as there was two years ago when he left three counties dangling on his final decision - which was to stay in Australia. Lack of respect like that is not easily forgotten.

Warne has lost the Victoria captaincy, but his excellent World Cup performances revived his playing reputation, and he has a six-month gap next year free of international commitments. He said: ``This is a great chance to fulfil a dream I've had for a long time of playing a season in England.''

Definitely not interested in Warne are Yorkshire, who have reclaimed Darren Lehman, Worcestershire, who have signed Glenn McGrath, and Somerset, who are to extend Jamie Cox's contract.

Gloucestershire, where Warne played club cricket, would be obvious candidates, and Colin Sexstone, their chief executive, said the Australian had not been ruled out. ``We have a number of options,'' he said, ``but we aren't considering any of them until later this season.''

Lancashire would consider Warne if Muttiah Muralitharan was not available. If Derbyshire decide not to retain Michael Slater, they will most likely be considering a lower-profile player because of their sensitivity to a wage demand likely to be above L50,000 for the summer.

Sri Lanka's cricket authorities have banned former captain Arjuna Ranatunga pending a disciplinary inquiry against him. Ranatunga, who was dismissed as captain of the national team last month, was asked to explain his conduct in leaving for Canada to participate in an exhibition match this month.

Cricket manager Chandra Schaffter banned Ranatunga from practice for the three-Test series against Australia pending the investigation.

Ranatunga, 35, returned to Colombo on Tuesday without being able to play in the friendly match. Organisers stood Ranatunga down apparently because they did not have permission from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to play him.

Dennis Lillee, 50, and his son Adam, 25, will team up for the first time when they play for an Australian Cricket Board Chairman's XI in a one-day match against the Pakistan tourists in Perth on Oct 26.

Lillee snr, who took 355 Test wickets, has made a comeback each summer to play in the festival clash at Lilac Hill Park, Caversham. This year's is likely to be his farewell appearance.