Hampshire confirm Warne exit
Australian leg-spinner ends first-class career to concentrate on IPL
Last updated: 30th March 2008
Warne: concentrating on the IPL
Hampshire cricket has been hugely privileged to have enjoyed the unstinting loyalty of this living legend since 2000. The most effective and entertaining bowler of all time, Shane Warne was also a brilliant leader and strategist.
Rose Bowl plc chairman Rod Bransgrove
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Shane Warne will not be returning to play for Hampshire in 2008.
The decision was prompted by Warne's limited availability due to his participation in the Indian Premier League, as well as increasing business and family commitments.
It was already known that the Victorian leg-spinner would miss the start of the season and the Twenty20 Cup, but he has now confirmed that he will not be returning to the Rose Bowl at all.
That move brings the curtain down on Warne's first-class career, having already retired from Test and Australian domestic cricket.
The 38-year-old joined Hampshire in 2000 and has been captain for the last four seasons. He described his time at the county as 'a wonderful experience'.
Warne took 276 of his 1,319 first-class wickets for Hampshire and led the side to the 2005 C&G Trophy, although he missed the final due to international commitments.
Memories
"My eight years involved with Hampshire have been a wonderful experience," he said.
"Memories that will last with me forever and likewise the friendships that have been formed at the club.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rod Bransgrove (chairman), Paul Terry (team manager) and Tim Tremlett (director of cricket) for their ongoing support and the opportunity to captain the club, and I wish them all the best for the coming season.
"Unfortunately I am retiring from all first-class cricket but will participate in the IPL with the Jaipur franchise as captain and coach.
"This was not an easy decision to make but due to some exciting business opportunities and wanting to spend more time with my children, I had to make this call.
"Good luck to all involved at the Rose Bowl I wish you all the best.
"I was very lucky to have played with such a wonderful group of guys, thanks for the great times - thank you very much for your support and friendship.
"To all the support staff at the Rose Bowl, thank you for making my time at the club an enjoyable experience and making me feel so welcome.
"To all the fans that have turned up to watch the Hawks play, thank you very much for embracing me as one of you, and supporting me and the team, it meant a lot to me.
"To Dimi (Dimitri Mascarenhas), the new captain, who is also one of my best friends, good luck with it all buddy, my thoughts are with you and the guys."
Living legend
Bransgrove added: "Hampshire cricket has been hugely privileged to have enjoyed the unstinting loyalty of this living legend since 2000.
"The most effective and entertaining bowler of all time, Shane Warne was also a brilliant leader and strategist.
"As our captain, his influence was instrumental in the development of Hampshire into one of the country's top sides and he enriched the game wherever he played.
"I know this will be a major disappointment to many fans of both Hampshire and Shane but, after much discussion and soul-searching, it has become clear to both of us, that Shane can no longer make the commitment required to continue to lead Hampshire.
"His many other business and charitable activities, together with his strong desire to share quality time with his beloved children, makes further extended periods away from home unmanageable at this stage of his life.
"After the commitment and loyalty he has shown to this club over the past few years, I can only wish him all the success and happiness he deserves.
"I am sure that all our supporters will join us in, firstly, thanking Shane for his dedication and commitment and, secondly, wishing him and his family the best of wishes for the next phase of his life. Warnie will be sorely missed, never forgotten."
| Fixture |
|---|
| Friday 9th May |
| County Championship - Division One |
| Somerset vs Hampshire |
| Lancashire vs Durham |
| Nottinghamshire vs Kent |
| County Championship - Division Two |
| Derbyshire vs Warwickshire |
| Essex vs Middlesex |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Jaipur vs IPL Hyderabad |
| Friends Provident Trophy |
| Glamorgan vs Gloucestershire |
| Saturday 10th May |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Chennai vs IPL Mohali |
| Friends Provident Trophy |
| Northamptonshire vs Leicestershire |
| Sunday 11th May |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Jaipur vs IPL Delhi |
| Result |
|---|
| Thursday 8th May |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Delhi vs IPL Chennai Chennai Super Kings won by 4 wickets. |
| IPL Kolkata vs IPL Bangalore Kolkata Knight Riders won by 5 runs. |
| Friends Provident Trophy |
| Sussex vs Surrey Surrey won by 67 runs. |
| Wednesday 7th May |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Mumbai vs IPL Jaipur Mumbai Indians won by 7 wickets. |
| Tuesday 6th May |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Chennai vs IPL Hyderabad Deccan Chargers won by 7 wickets. |
| Monday 5th May |
| Indian Premier league |
| IPL Bangalore vs IPL Mohali Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets. |
| Friends Provident Trophy |
| Sussex vs Middlesex Sussex won by 7 wickets. |
| Lancashire vs Scotland Scotland won by 2 runs. |
| Northamptonshire vs Ireland Northamptonshire won by 8 wickets. |
| Surrey vs Kent Kent won by 90 runs. |
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Comments
Abbie Brooke says...
It is really sad to see Warne go. One of my cricket heroes, whom I sadly never got to see play. I was really hoping to go to a Hampshire game this year and I am absolutely devastated that I won't get to see him. He had a fantastic character that will always be missed, and for me was better than Muralitharan. I had a tear in my eye as I read the article, he'll never be forgotten...
Posted 00:06 31st March 2008
Paul Smith says...
One of the best players to play for Hampshire, absolute privilege to see him perform live for Hants. Was a great captain, hope Dimi has learnt from him under warne's captaincy. Will be missed.
Posted 19:47 28th March 2008
Mark Blake says...
I was lucky to be able to do my work experience at the Rose Bowl while Warnie was there and having the privilege of facing him in the nets is something I will never forget! He is the best bowler the world has seen, the ashes maybe easier to win now he gone.
Posted 19:06 27th March 2008
Fergus Elliott says...
Gutted, was so hoping to see him play this year, a proper legend of any sport and a proper character to boot, all the best Shane...
Posted 18:39 27th March 2008
Gary Williams says...
I never ever had the pleasure to watch "Warnie" live but from what I have been told by people who know him and what I have seen only on TV is that he was an incredible player and definitely one of the boys. He can hold his head up in many ways as being one of the most entertaining cricketers of all time and certainly one of the great characters of any era. I wish him well and like many cricketing fans in the UK will miss him immensley. Goodbye "Warnie" but good luck in whatever you do. My hero is "Beefy" as his was my era but "Warnie" well there really is no comparison. No one including Mulitharan can honestly say they have had such a devasting impact on our wonderful game. Thanks again mate!
Posted 18:31 27th March 2008
Andrew Day says...
One of the greats of all time. It is a sad loss to first-class cricket and he will be missed by all UK cricket fans.
Posted 18:13 27th March 2008
Dwayne 62 says...
Good riddance, only here for the money yet never available to play - no loss at all.
Posted 18:09 27th March 2008
Martin christopher Crook says...
Although I am not a great follower of cricket, I believe this country has lost a great cricket player in Shane Warne. He brought to cricket fun mixed with brilliance, a true larger than life character. He will be sorely missed both by Hampshire and cricket fans up and down the country. I wish him well in the future. He reminds me of that other great Australian hero Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter.
Posted 17:54 27th March 2008
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