BRETT Lee still regrets the fact that he never played county cricket for Hampshire.

The 36-year-old former Australian fast bowler, pictured, has never appeared on the English county scene.

The closest he got was in 2010 when he signed for Hampshire, only for injury to prevent him playing.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “Whenever I see Brett he always tells me that one of his biggest regrets is that he never had the opportunity to play a full season for Hampshire.

“Brett said he’s heard so many good things about Hampshire.

“We did succeed in getting Brett to Hampshire once but then he couldn’t play and his international commitments always took over.

“It’s nice to know that somebody who as highly respected as Brett in world cricket holds Hampshire in such high esteem.”