SHAUN Udal reckons he is bowling as well as ever- thanks to the Shane Warne factor.

Udal took his 600th first class wicket yesterday after taking a sharp return catch to remove Derbyshire dangerman Chris Rogers.

And the off-spinner reckons that Warne is already up there with the best Hampshire skippers he has played under since he made his debut 16 years ago.

"Mark Nicholas was very good for me and so was Robin Smith but Warney's on a different plane at the moment," said 34-year-old Udal.

"He makes you feel special and gets the best out of players, which all good captains do.

"He makes you feel involved and important, he asks for my opinions and takes them on board - and he's always the first to congratulate you.

"He's been lucky in that we've had all our seamers fit at the same time and we've got more variety but he's given us an extra 110per cent and is worth an extra two wickets an innings with his captaincy alone.

"He's so innovative and imaginative with his field placings, he's in the batsman's face all the time and intimidates within the laws of the game."

Udal added: "I didn't know I was so close to 600 first class wickets for Hampshire until I looked in the handbook and saw I was on 596.

"Personal milestones are not as important as wins for the club but it's certainly nice to be one the club's top 15 wicket-takers of all time - hopefully there are few more left in me yet."

Hampshire today needed another 13 wickets to win their sixth successive game in all cricket under Warne - the last time they had such a run of wins was 14 years ago.

Udal added: "It's turning quite a lot, they've dug in and battled without playing too much positive cricket.

"That won't get them promoted but it's up to us to take the initiative - the first session will be very important."