Hampshire in talks with Hayden

Hampshire have confirmed they are holding talks with prolific Australian batsman Matthew Hayden with the view to signing him as an overseas player. The captain Shane Warne has been leading the county's search for a second overseas player for 2006 and has approached a number of his Australian team-mates over the festive period.

Hayden had a spell with Hampshire in 1997, when he scored 1446 runs at an average of 53.55. "He is one of three or four of Australian cricketers we have been speaking to," Tim Tremlett, Hampshire's director of cricket, said. "It depends on availability. Australia do not have a lot of international cricket but they do have a series against Bangladesh. There is no immediate rush to sign anyone but it would be good to have it tied up by the end of the month."

Hampshire are pursuing Hayden after ruling out a return for another Australian, Simon Katich, because he is due to get married. The allrounder Shane Watson, who made a huge impression at the Rose Bowl last year, has also been overlooked for a return as he is nursing an injury.