Bransgrove wanted to sign Warne, 32, for the next two years and met the Australian Test star for talks at the weekend.

Warne took 70 wickets during his one season with Hampshire in 2000 and was keen to return to county cricket next summer.

But Bransgrove has revealed a move is unlikely to take place because Warne would be required by Australia for next season and would be unavailable for the whole campaign.

Bransgrove said: "Shane would love to come back but he is still very much part of Australia's international side and we don't want overseas players disappearing during the summer.

"That situation hasn't changed at all. Even though we can have two overseas players next year we would like two overseas players for the entire summer.

"Shane's added three or four years on his international career so he is going to be around in the Australian side for some time to come unless he decides otherwise."

Warne has taken 450 wickets in Test cricket since making his debut in 1992 and wants to become the first bowler ever to claim 600 wickets in the five-day game.

Bransgrove added: "Shane's talking about taking 600 wickets so I can't see him thinking about quitting international cricket at this stage of his career.

"I'm pretty certain he will come back to Hampshire at some point."