Warne could not prevent a Durham victory when play resumed

Asked if he regretted opting to take the field when the match started on Saturday, the 37-year-old Australian said: "I don't think so.

"I just would have liked us to do a little better in the first 10 overs when we bowled and batted.

"They thoroughly deserve their victory, they out-played us."

Interview: Hampshire captain Shane Warne

The effervescent leg-spinner remained confident of victory when play resumed on Sunday morning, despite his team needing 155 runs in only 17.3 overs with five wickets left.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Hampshire's performance

Asked if he thought it was a forlorn task he said: "You always cling to hope - that's why you play the game.

"Dimi Mascarenhas is so dangerous and Nic Pothas is a class act. We thought if they got off to a bit of a flyer in the first few overs we could be in with a real chance."

Warne contined: "Some days you don't play that well but I don't think Durham allowed us to.

"It's never easy to lose a final but we've had a lot of success, we won here in 2005, so the boys have still got some good memories. We've just got to make sure we regroup because there are still two trophies to play for."

The Australian played down an incident during the first day of the final when Chris Tremlett bowled a beamer at Man of the Match Ottis Gibson, insisting no malice had been intended.

"It's been one of his problems. You want him to be more aggressive. He said sorry," said Warne.

He was also asked about the controversial referral system used in the competition by which Durham were able to unsuccessfully challenge the lbw decision against Phil Mustard.

Warne said he and opposite number Dale Benkenstein had agreed before the game that they only ask for "something obvious" to be referred.