HAMPSHIRE have signed a fourth Australian as cover when Shane Warne, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson are recalled for international duty.

Tasmanian top-order batsman Michael Dighton will make his Hampshire debut against Kent on Monday, May 30.

The 28-year-old is a right-handed bat, currently playing for Greenock in Scotland. Before joining Tasmania he played for Western Australia.

Watson will make his debut on Sunday in the totesport League against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old Australian international all-rounder flies into England today and will travel straight to Leeds to join up with his new teammates midway through their championship match against Yorkshire.

Will Kendall will skipper the county side while Warne is away on test duty for Australia against Zimbabwe. The Aussie returns on June 3.

His last game before his departure saw Hampshire just miss out on a third consecutive county championship win on Monday, at The Rose Bowl, by one wicket.

The visitors, Derbyshire, had been set the task of scoring 274 for victory from 53 overs and last pair Mohammad Ali and Nick Walker had to face the final three overs to make sure of a share of the spoils.

The final day started with Derbyshire adding 45 to their overnight first innings score of 279-8 as they were bowled out for 324.

That gave Hampshire a lead of 95 runs, which they had to build on quickly to stand any chance of victory.

This they did scoring 178 in 32 overs. Michael Clarke led the way with 45 off 32 balls which included six fours and two sixes.

At 178-6, Hampshire declared to set Derbyshire their 274 target. This they never really looked like getting as Dimitri Mascarenhas once again was the main strike bowler, taking 6-25 from 17 overs as the visitors finished on 102-9.

Earlier in the contest, Hampshire's first innings lasted over three days as most of the second day was lost to rain.

The home county recorded their first maximum batting points haul of the season as they made 419.

Nic Pothas led the way with an unbeaten 131 which included 14 fours and a six.

Derbyshire's first innings of 324 saw Chris Rogers top score with 87 and Bassano collect 53.