SHANE Warne has bizarrely called on his former Hampshire colleagues to mimic ex-Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff during the 2008 season.

Hampshire start the new English domestic season against arch rivals Sussex at the Rose Bowl tomorrow.

The county are preparing for a season without Warne for the first time since they finished second bottom of the county championship in 2003.

But Warne is hopeful new Dimi Mascarenhas and his men can enjoy life without him - with a little help from Hasselhoff!

Warne said: "I was nervous during matches, but I'd portray that I was confident all the time - no matter what.

"Maybe the Hampshire players can also adopt what I called the Hasselhoff theory'.

"You stick your chest out like David Hasselhoff on Baywatch - it was the look' - and you never let the opposition know what you're thinking.

"You go through different emotions and feelings as a player.

"You just have to learn to deal with things by yourself.

"That's one of my strengths, that I could block out anything that was happening and just focus on what I had to do.

"I learned to handle each situation as best as I could and I'm sure the Hampshire boys will do that this year.

"The good times, the bad times, the mistakes, the highs and lows are what makes you what you are.

"You ride through it all and look back and go jeez'."

Hampshire v Sussex previews in today's Daily Echo.