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Warne calls time on his first-class cricket career

Shane Warne thanked Hampshire for a "wonderful experience" after denying the English side's fans a chance to say goodbye to him on the pitch.

The Australia leg-spin legend, Hampshire's captain since 2004, dramatically called time on his eight-year association with the county on Thursday just weeks before the start of the new English season even though he had a contract for one final campaign with the Rose Bowl club.

Warne, 38, said business commitments, as well as a desire to see more of his young children, had prompted his decision.

He will now bow out of all senior cricket following his involvement as captain and coach of the Jaipur franchise in the new Indian Premier League (IPL).

"My eight years involved with Hampshire have been a wonderful experience. Memories that will last with me forever and likewise the friendships that have been formed at the club," Warne said. "Unfortunately I am retiring from all first-class cricket but will participate in the IPL. Due to some exciting business opportunities and wanting to spend more time with my children, I had to make this call. I was very lucky to have played with such a wonderful group of guys."

Warne took 276 first-class wickets for Hampshire at an average of 25.59, with best match figures of seven for 99 against Middlesex at the Rose Bowl.

He also scored 2,040 runs, with a best of 107 against Kent at Canterbury in 2005.

More than that, however, he sparked Hampshire's on-field fortunes with his bold and inspiring captaincy and so helped the team become one of English cricket's leading counties.

Rod Bransgrove, Hampshire's chairman, said: "The most effective and entertaining bowler of all time, Shane Warne was also a brilliant leader and strategist. Warnie will be sorely missed, never forgotten."

Hampshire announced on Thursday that all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas would be their new captain even though he is due to miss the start of the county season because he too will be playing in the IPL, where he will be a teammate of Warne's in Jaipur.
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