Cricket: Warne's one-year Hampshire deal
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE AUSTRALIAN Test spinner, Shane Warne, has agreed to play for Hampshire next season. The leg-spinner, who won the man of the match award in his country's World Cup final victory over Pakistan at Lord's this summer, has signed a one-year contract thought to be the most lucrative in the history of English cricket.
The Hampshire chief executive, Tony Baker, said: "With the county's move to a new ground next season, this is a wonderful way to emphasise the extent of our ambitions going into the new millennium."
The deal is subject to the approval of the Australian Cricket Board, although it has given its blessing to Warne's international team-mate, Glenn McGrath, to play for Worcestershire.
The deals could mean two of the world's top bowlers playing in the Second Division of next year's two-tier County Championship. Worcestershire are already condemned to finishing in the bottom nine of the current competition and Hampshire need to beat Derbyshire in the final round of matches to clinch a First Division place.
McGrath's two-year contract is reported to be worth about pounds 100,000 a season and Warne's deal is set to eclipse that. Hampshire say they expect to meet the cost of his financial package through a number of commercial opportunities together with an increase in gates and membership.
Warne, 30 this week, is captaining the Australians on their tour of Sri Lanka in the absence of Steve Waugh, who has a broken nose. He has taken more than 300 wickets in Test cricket and over 200 in one-day internationals.
County cricket, page 27
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments