WILL Kendall has vowed to captain Hampshire his way.
Kendall captains unbeaten Hampshire for four weeks, starting against Yorkshire at Headingley in the county championship tomorrow.
The former Hampshire vice captain then leads the county in the totesport league games away to Lancashire and Gloucestershire as well as the championship match against Nottinghamshire at the Rose Bowl (June 2-5)
The biggest game of the season before Warne returns from Zimbabwe is the C& G Trophy clash against holders Gloucestershire at Bristol on May 29.
But Kendall, who was Robin Smith's deputy from 2001-02, is refusing to be burdened by Warne's impressive record of played six, won five, drawn one.
He said: "I've got to captain the side the way I can.
"I feel as though I've got the credentials to do it and am going to do it my way.
"I don't feel like I'm under pressure or have anything to live up to. Shane's his own man and I'm my own man.
"There's no point in trying to emulate him. I'll do the job the way I can do it and I don't think anything more can be asked."
The biggest difference between this season and last is Warne's captaincy - but Kendall is backing his players to maintain Hampshire's impressive start.
"Yorkshire at Headingley and Lancashire at Old Trafford are, on paper, the hardest games we'll play all year," said Kendall.
"But I feel confident with the team, there's no reason why we can't continue the run of form that we've been on
"It's been a great start to the season and Warney's had a lot to do with tha, but each player has taken on the responsibility to get the most out of themselves.
"Warney's bowled beautifully, but has not taken every wicket.
"I'm sure he'll come into his own later in the summer when the wickets suit him a bit more, but at the moment we're contributing from one to 11."
Kendall has already learnt plenty about captaincy from Warne.
"Mike Atherton said he was the most intelligent bowler that he had ever played against, and his mind works overtime, he reads the game brilliantly," he revealed.
"But the biggest thing is how he carries his positive nature through to the side.
"He keeps everyone upbeat, he's always talking to everyone in the side, and geeing them up.
"His personality runs through the whole team but all the players have worked very hard in pre season."
Warne, who made the decision to install Kendall at the weekend, said Kendall was not the only man in the running to skipper the Second Division championship table-toppers. "Dimi Mascarenhas, Nic Pothas and Shaun Udal were in contention but we went for Wilbur because of his experience.
"He's played extremely well this year, he's done a good job in the past and hopefully he can help continue the momentum that we've got."
Hampshire are expected to make one change for the championship match against Yorkshire which begins at Headingley tomorrow with Billy Taylor expected to come in for Shane Warne.
Yorkshire are set to include England pair Matthew Hoggard and Anthony McGrath in their XI.
Yorkshire (from): Wood, White, Lumb, Jaques, A McGrath, Harvey, Silverwood, Blain, Guy, Dawson, Hoggard, Kirby.
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