Hampshire stand by Warne despite year-long ban

Hampshire will continue to fully support Shane Warne, despite the Australian test leg-spinner being unable to fulfil the first year of his contract with the county in 2003 - subject to an appeal on the twelve month ban dished out to him on drug-taking charges.

Warne, who tested positive for diuretic - hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride - was found guilty by the Australian Cricket Board anti-doping committee and was banned for a year in the early hours of Saturday morning (GMT).

But Hampshire Cricket chairman Rod Bransgrove, although understandable disappointed at the verdict, reaffirmed that Warne will still undertake his contract with the county - but not until 2004.

"We will have to await the outcome of the appeal," said Bransgrove. "Shane has seven days in which to lodge one, and I believe that he is going to do so.

"But, we have to look at contingency plans in case Shane does not get this verdict overturned and have already put some into place. That will have a lot to do with Paul Terry, the team manager."

Warne's original contract was for two years, but Warne is unable to complete the first of them. "However, that contract was two years with an option to renew," he continues.

"The third year - 2005 - is an Ashes year but we had originally considered that Shane would still be an Australian cricketer. This verdict could put a major dent into that as well."

Warne, who is banned from all cricket including club and recreational, was upset by the findings and continues to proclaim his innocence. "I feel that I am a victim of the anti-doping hysteria," he said in his statement.

Bransgrove added, "This is very disappointing to all of us. It seems that we are all being punished for one minor indescretion and that is a great shame.

"I have been in regular telephone calls with him, but I do not need to phone him this morning to know how he is feeling. Not being able to play cricket for a whole year will be very difficult for him.

"He will have to work hard on his fitness," adds the chairman, although to do that without playing competitive games will be a wrench to the Aussie legend.

"We continue to stand by him and look forward to having him at the Rose Bowl in 2004, such is the standing of the man."