Warne given break ahead of Ashes

Shane Warne: given two weeks off to rest ahead of the Ashes © Getty Images

Shane Warne has been given permission to sit out the rest of Hampshire's Twenty20 group matches, to allow him to rest ahead of the Ashes series. The request came from Cricket Australia and Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman, granted Warne a two-week break.

Bransgrove told the Press Association: "Cricket Australia have asked before for him to take a break but he choose not to. He has bowled more than we expected him to. I'm happy for him to take a break. I have no problem with it at all."

Warne has been suffered with a slight problem to his spinning finger, which was picked up during the Championship game against Kent at Canterbury in May. However, Warne will still be available for Hampshire's next Championship game, against Middlesex at Southgate, starting on July 8. This will be his last match for the county before the Ashes, but he will return in mid-September, after the final Test.

Warne has bowled 299.4 overs in eight Championship matches this season, taking 37 wickets at 22.75 apiece. He is aiming to take his 600th Test wicket during the Ashes series and currently stands on 583.

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