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Adams admits: We'll miss Warne
Chris Adams admits future Sussex-Hampshire games will not be the same without Shane Warne.
Warne, 38, announced his retirement on Thursday after eight years as Hampshire captain, less than three weeks before Sussex start their Championship defence at the Rose Bowl.
The pair have had some hard-fought personal battles on the pitch in recent seasons.
With two flinty characters in charge, there has been an edge to the matches between the old rivals.
Adams, though, has never hidden his respect for Warne, who took 708 Test wickets and transformed Hampshire into one of the country's top clubs.
Adams said: "You either love him or hate him but the competition will be worse off without the greatest bowler world cricket has ever seen.
"It's disappointing from county cricket's perspective that Shane won't be around anymore.
"We had some good battles personally which I enjoyed and when we played Shane's Hampshire the matches were always competitive.
"I'm just pleased that we managed to get the better of them more often than not."
Warne's departure on the eve of the new season leaves Hampshire short of spin-bowling resources after Shaun Udal, who was frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities, left the county at the end of last season to join Middlesex.
Dimitri Mascarenhas has taken over from Warne although his participation in the Indian Premier League, when Warne will be his coach and captain for Rajasthan Royals, means Adams will be up against a different captain when Sussex go to the Rose Bowl on April 16.
He added: "From Hampshire's point of view it must be a good thing that Shane has told them now rather than deciding later in the summer because it gives them time to sort out a replacement.
"They seem happy to operate with three or four overseas players each year but I have always preferred having one person who is committed for the whole season and becomes part of the club.
"Even without Shane they will still be a hard side to beat."
Sussex continue their preparations for the new season with a friendly against Glamorgan at Hove on Monday (11am).
Mushtaq Ahmed took 1-25 and captained Lahore Badshahs to a 22-runs win over Kolkata Tigers in the ICL. Mushtaq comes up against Sussex team-mate Murray Goodwin's Ahmedabad Rockets on Sunday. Goodwin has scored just 27 runs in five appearances so far with a top score of eight.
6:29pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: McKenzie, Llangenny on 6:19pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Lets hope the ICL sharpens Mushy and Murray up for the start of the 'real' cricket.
Lets hope the ICL sharpens Mushy and Murray up for the start of the 'real' cricket.
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