Shane Warne has revealed that he has invented a new delivery to help him beat Muttiah Muralitharan to 500 Test wickets.

Warne's year-long ban for taking a banned diuretic meant that Hampshire fans missed out on the leg spinner's 'Slider' delivery last summer.

But the county's captain will be practising his latest weapon during next month's three Test series against Sri Lanka before unleashing it on Hampshire's second division rivals in the championship later this year.

"There's something I've been working on and I'm saving it for the Test series if I get picked," said Warne, who has 491 Test wickets to Muralitharan's 485.

"It's something I've changed my grip with and if I land it like I have been doing in practice I'm sure it will be very handy."

Meanwhile, Australia's three Test series on the sub continent, which begins in Galle on March 8, has been spiced up by the latest spat between Warne and former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, who is now a politician after retiring from international cricket four years ago.

Last week Warne said: "He's probably slotting himself around at 150 kilos at the moment, swallowed a sheep or something and frankly Sri Lanka, and the game overall, would be better off without him.

"I don't like him and I'm not in a club of one."

Ranatunga hit back by saying: " It's better to swallow a sheep or a goat than swallow what he has been swallowing but I am certainly going to meet him. I may even invite him to attend one of my campaign meetings."