Hampshire hope to sign another top-class spinner to replace Shane Warne for the last two months of the forthcoming season.

Warne was due to arrive for his final Hampshire stint in August and chairman Rod Bransgrove believes the club's plan to have three overseas players - a fast bowler, an all rounder and a high-class spinner - at different stages of the season is still the correct one.

He has also dismissed the prospect of extending Shane Watson's contract until the end of the season.

Bransgrove said: "With a bit of luck Shane Watson will be back in the Australian side at the end of our season, but we still think the strategy is right so we'll be looking for someone to spin us to the Championship at the end of the season.

"It's very late in the day as there are not many other quality players available, but we have a couple of alternatives so I'm fairly relaxed and hopeful we'll sign an international spinner."

New Zealand's slow left armer Daniel Vettori is one option as his country's tour of England concludes at the end of June.

Full story: see today's Daily Echo.