FORMER Australia bowler Merv Hughes believes that Shane Warne will play until 2009 - and be available for the next World Cup.

Warne is set to captain Hampshire for the first half the forthcoming season, before joining Australia for the second half of the summer.

And Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove has admitted that he is keen for the leg spinner to finish his career at the Rose Bowl.

But if 35-year-old Warne was to come out of one-day international retirement for the next World Cup, which is to be played in the Caribbean, he would miss the first two months of the 2007 season.

Hughes said: "With the fitness and physio people around the Australian team, he'd be more than capable.of playing until he's 38 or 39.

"His year off looks to have rejuvenated him, his hunger for the game is still there and, as for the World Cup, I'm sure he wouldn't want to be remembered for his diuretic ban."

Warne's agent and brother, Jason, has given an even stronger hint that his sibling will make up for missing the last World Cup by coming out of retirement in 2007.

Jason Warne said: "If I was a betting man I'd put some money on him staying retired from one-day cricket - or staying retired until the next World Cup

"I don't think he was entirely happy with the way it finished for him in the one-day arena. He had hoped for the blaze of glory with a defence of the World Cup but, of course, that didn't happen. I'm sure he would rather finish his carer on his terms rather than someone else's.

"If he's feeling good and feeling that he's still got something to offer, and if Australia needs him, then he's a chance for the next World Cup."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has already revealed that Warne is keen to play in the next World Cup - but has also admitted that the improvement of rookie spin duo Nathan Hauritz and Cameron White may persuade the Victorian not to make a one-day international comeback.

Hampshire chairman Bransgrove said: "I haven't spoken to Shane recently but I'd be very surprised if they just selected him for the World Cup, I think he'd have to come back a bit earlier and play a few more one-dayers to get picked for that.

"All I know is that he's looking forward to captaining Hampshire at the beginning of this season and that he's an exceptional individual who keeps on defying all the odds."