SHANE Warne has played his last game of the season for Hampshire.

Shaun Udal will captain Hampshire in Warne's absence against lowly Derbyshire at Derby on Thursday, as the county go in search of the 13 points they need to be guaranteed second place in the second division table.

Warne is holidaying ahead of a gruelling winter that includes THREE Test series, starting next month against India, followed by ones against West Indies and New Zealand.

Chairman Rod Bransgrove said: "If Shane had played against Derbyshire it would have meant he would only have one day's rest before Australia's Test series against India.

"We are already promoted and this Derbyshire match also gives Paul Terry the chance to give some of the other players the chance to impress."

Bransgrove remains confident that Warne will return to Hampshire before next summer's Ashes series. "We're not under huge pressure to sort things out but we are currently looking into schooling for Warne's children."