Shane Warne: How the Australian cricketing legend transformed Hampshire

They were battling in the County Championship and hadn't won anything for over a decade - they were described in cricketing circles as 'Happy Hampshire'.

That didn't deter them from a bold attempt to sign the Australian spinner, who had arguably been the world's most dominant bowler in the decade and who had just led his country to World Cup glory.

One ​​year after death tragedy of Warne, journalist Robbie James has dedicated an audio documentary to one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and reflects on how he transformed Hampshire during his seven-year affiliation with the club.

Confrontation at Her Majesty's Palace

When Warne arrived at the south coast club in 2000 it's safe to say it wasn't the sports team of high level that she is now.

"We were having good days and bad days" , former Hants chairman Brian Ford told BBC Radio Solent's Shane Warne: A documentary about a love affair in Hampshire.

"The team needed a lot of work but we didn't have much money - we were doing what we could with what we had."

Hampshire had English drummer Robin Smith, nicknamed "The Judge", who was friends with Warne and knew that he was interested in coming to play in England.

In 1999 - with 30-year-old Warne taking 300 test wickets and over 200 in one- internationals of the day - the club's board have contacted their agents to reach an agreement.

But talks have stalled.

"We couldn't talk to Shane himself who told us referred to his agents and we thought we might lose him,” Ford added. in a last ditch attempt to secure Warne's signature and break the deadlock, he decided to corner the world star at a cricket reception - inside Buckingham Palace.

"I had never met Shane Warne but found him at the reception e t there was a time when he wasn't in the middle of a conversation," Ford said.

"So I put my arm around his neck and said 'you don't know me' but 'are you going to come and play for Hampshire or not?'.

"He said 'why what is the problem? I would love to.

"I asked him to sort out his agents because we weren't getting anywhere "

"He said 'let me do it' and when I got home the next day , I got a phone call from the club saying "what did you tell Warne at the Palace?"

"I was worried and said 'why, is there a problem?'

"They said 'not far from it - let all the systems work'."

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