Chris Benham has thanked Shane Warne for helping him overcome the fear factor.

Benham has come of age as a fixture in the Hampshire top order in the last six weeks and ended a memorable season with his career-best 158 in front of the Sky cameras to lead the Hawks to promotion.

He admits to having suffered from nerves at the beginning of his career but has gone from strength to strength - culminating in his match-winning century against Glamorgan in Sunday's Pro40 play off at the Rose Bowl.

Benham said: "I had a shaky start to the season, I was trying to find my feet and then PT (manager Paul Terry) and Warney showed faith in me, which gave me confidence, and getting 95 against Warwickshire in the championship kickstarted my season.

"Warney tells me to express myself and that's what I try to do.

"In the past I've been a bit fearful of going out to bat and have just tried to stay there, but now I'm more aggressive."

The 23-year-old swept his way to his second one-day hundred by dominating the Glamorgan spinners.

He added: "I took a few risks and they came off. I've struggled against spin in the past and playing the sweep more often has been a big change in my game.

"With the reverse sweep I try and manipulate the field and bowlers don't know where to bowl.

"It's the highlight of my career and the best innings I've ever played, but everything went my way.

"It was a massive day for the whole club, Warney expressed that in the team speech beforehand and so did the chairman so I was delighted to contribute.

"As a kid you dream of playing an innings like that.

"I was quite emotional when I got to three figures. I had to hold back a few tears."