Wasim Akram is ready to play his first county match since saying farewell to Lancashire - with six wickets against Hampshire.

Wasim's last appearance in county cricket before today's Hants debut at Worcester was against Hampshire at Old Trafford, when he returned match figures of 6-99 in September 1998.

Lancashire won by 161 runs thanks to 239 from John Crawley while Wasim's haul included the wickets of new teammates Derek Kenway, Robin Smith, Will Kendall and Alex Morris.

Wasim gave his farewell speech after the game, and Crawley was unveiled as his successor as captain, at the end of a hugely successful season for the pair and for Lancashire who won the AXA League and the Natwest Trophy and finished as championship runners-up.

Now Wasim, pictured right, meeting the press at the Rose Bowl earlier this week, is hoping to add to his medal collection with Hampshire.

"I enjoy county cricket, meeting people and making new friends and I want to enjoy winning with Hampshire like we did with Lancashire," he said.

"We don't want to be satisfied with finishing second, we want to go up as champions."