Warne commits to Hampshire

Shane Warne could be on course to finish his career in the leafy environs of the Rose Bowl in Southampton, after it was announced that he had signed a two-year extension to his existing contract with Hampshire, with an option of a further two years that would take him beyond his 39th birthday.

Warne, 35, joined Hampshire in 2000, thanks in no small part to his friendship with Hampshire's former captain and England batsman, Robin Smith. He has since been their regular overseas employee, and in 2003, he was appointed as captain, although he was unable to take up the post that season, after being suspended for a year for the use of a banned diuretic ahead of the World Cup.

He returned as captain the following season, however, and was instrumental in earning Hampshire promotion to the top flight, taking 51 wickets at 24.13 as they finished second in the table behind Nottinghamshire. Although he is set to miss a large chunk of the forthcoming season, because of his Ashes commitments with Australia, his retirement from one-day internationals mean that he will be available up until July.

"It is a lengthy contract, he has signed for two years with an option of a rolling two years," said Hampshire's spokesman, John Hughes. "He has bought a house in the Southampton area and is really committing himself to the county."

He will be joined by his fellow Australian, Simon Katich, who returns for a third spell at the county, and among his charges will be the rising England star, Kevin Pietersen, who signed from Nottinghamshire at the end of last season.