ROBIN SMITH has two words to say to sum up Shane Warne's feelings about coming to Hampshire this summer.

"He's delighted and excited," enthused the Hampshire captain, who admits he still has to pinch himself at times to be convinced he will be the county skipper who will be able to toss the ball to Warne and ask him to bowl a few overs.

Smith added: "I have had a lot of communication with Warnie recently - I speak to him every couple of weeks.

"He's very excited about coming over here.

"Hampshire are known to be a progressive club but one of the happiest on the circuit and that's important to him.

"Shane wants to enjoy his cricket and his philosophy is very much like mine.

"We play hard and we want to win but we enjoy it.

"He's absolutely full of it. He wants to open the bowling, bat all the way down and field at first slip. He just wants to do everything."

As possibly the biggest capture by an English county since the introduction of overseas players, Warne's huge impact on the domestic game is a shoe-in.

But Smith reckons he will also be as big a hit off it. He said: "Knowing him as I do, Shane will be a great ambassador for the club and certainly give a lot off the field.

"He will want to spend time with the younger players, sign autographs and play his part in generating interest.

"He knows what he is in terms of being a draw and how important it is to the people who employ him, so he will give plenty back."

Tomorrow: Smith looks ahead to working alongside new coach Jimmy Cook.

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