Hampshire Cricket have today announced that Shane Warne has signed a two-year contract to return to the club he played for in 2000 as one of their overseas players for 2003, and will in the process become captain, replacing Robin Smith who has decided to stand down after five years in the post.

Warne, the second leading wicket-taker in Test history with 450, has always proclaimed his desire to play for Hampshire again, despite enduring a relegation season with the club in it's final year at Northlands Road.

His return has allowed Robin Smith the opportunity to stand down from the captaincy, giving the former Australian test vice-captain the challis of leading the county in their bid to regain their Division One status next season.

Shane Warne Photo: Getty Images

When Rod Bransgrove was asked how difficult it was to get Warne to return to the county, he said "It was more difficult trying to keep him away!"

"Shane is a hugely dedicated and loyal man to all the clubs he has ever played for, from St Kilda, his first ever club through to us here at Hampshire and it is tremendous news for the county and demonstrates the depth of our ambition."

Warne, currently in Sri Lanka playing for Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy said in a press release, "I am very happy to be returning to Hampshire, which is my second home. I enjoyed it so much last time and I will do everything to help re-establish Hampshire to be forefront of English cricket."

Hampshire's popular captain Robin Smith makes way, although he will remain as a player under Warne. The vice-captaincy situation, currently in the hands of Will Kendall, is still to be finalised, but Warne is thought to have requested he remain as his number two.

The former Oxford University skipper's position has been discussed by a working group headed by Bransgrove and included former captain Mark Nicholas as well as Tremlett and Smith. "We have been discussing the captain situation for a few weeks now and looking at all the options.

"But we really felt Shane Warne's qualities put him to be the obvious candidate and we are delighted to have him. We will work around his international commitments, but he does not have that many during the next two summers."

Warne aims to continue playing for Australia in all forms of cricket, and he hopes to remain in their setup for the Ashes tour of 2005. It is the reason he has signed a two-year deal with the county, although he will miss the first three weeks of the 2003 season, as he is on his country's tour of the West Indies.

© Hampshire Cricket