Is Warney becoming a Herr?

“With only one overseas (player) next year, it’s something we’re looking at.”

English county sides are currently allowed to have two overseas players at present, but that will be reduced to one next summer. Players holding European Union passports do not, however, count towards the quota.

Warne’s Souh African team-mate Nic Pothas qualifies through Greek ancestry and New Zealander Hamish Marshall is playing for Gloucestershire on an Irish passport.

If Warne were able to obtain dual nationality, it would enable Hampshire to look elsewhere for someone to fill their overseas vacancy.

“There’s been some amazing things happen here in England with people to play as locals, and all that sort of stuff, so it’s something we’re investigating. We’ll just have to find out what happens with that,” he added.

The 37-year-old first played for Hampshire seven years ago and has been with the club since 2004 in his current spell. He is contracted to the county club until the end of next season, having retired from Test cricket in January with a record of 708wickets in 145 matches.