Sachin Tendulkar has emerged as a potential overseas player for Hampshire, after their director of cricket, Tim Tremlett, admitted the county's interest in an interview with the Mail on Sunday.

"You have to go for the best if you want to compete with the likes of Surrey and Yorkshire and win the Championship. That is the level of our ambition," said Tremlett. "Tendulkar is the game's best batsman, so we are interested."

As of next season, two overseas players will be allowed per county, so Tendulkar could play alongside Zimbabwe's Neil Johnson. He was expected to engage in talks this weekend, during India's three-day warm-up match at the Rose Bowl.

Hampshire are not renowned for their success on the county scene, but their ambition is not in doubt. In 2000, they were reported to have paid out a six-figure sum to secure the services of Shane Warne, and a similar fee would be required to finance Tendulkar's stay. Tremlett admitted that external sponsorship would be required.

Nevertheless, the odds seem to be in Hampshire's favour, especially as Tendulkar himself is rumoured to have made the initial approach. His wife's family live in neighbouring Wiltshire, and India have a lull in their international fixture list during the 2003 English season. Their only scheduled tour is to Pakistan in April, which, in the current political climate, is unlikely to go ahead.

It is ten years since Tendulkar made his last appearance in county cricket. In 1992 he averaged 45 after joining Yorkshire as their first-ever overseas player. On Saturday, however, he did not enjoy the happiest of debuts at the Rose Bowl, making just 3 runs in 20 balls as India were bowled out for 236.

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