Shane Warne has challenged his batsmen to show more intent following his first game as Hampshire skipper.

Hampshire were in dire straits when John Crawley and Michel Clarke were both dismissed for ducks against a Durham side without overseas star Shoaib Ahktar and England's Steve Harmison.

But Will Kendall and Dimitri Mascarenhas rescued Hampshire with an unbroken partnership of 60 in just 12 overs that handed them an opening Championship Division Two victory.

But at one stage on Monday at The Rose Bowl Warne's side had made a painstaking 26-5.

Warne said: "The batting is not a problem, but it's probably a weakness we can all improve.

"It's about summing up the situation of a game and the one thing I want the boys to show me is their intent.

"At one stage we were 22-2 off 18 overs when there was a need for more intent to score, as well as hanging in there - so that is something we'll work on.

"But in early season there aren't going to be too many high-scoring games, it's been pretty wet down here, all we can ask is for consistent performers and to show intent when we're batting."

Warne has already grown into his new role.

"It makes the game go much quicker because I'm always thinking," said the man who is just three wickets short of a new Test record haul of 520.

"I like to think and talk about the game, I think it brings the best out of me.

"I try and keep the game going forward, if we're not looking like getting a wicket I'll try and create a wicket.

"Whether that's with field settings or bowling changes, it'll be my style.

"In the end I don't care as long as we win, but you'll have to ask the boys if I'm a good captain or not.

"At this stage it's not a bad start."