THE County Ground was treated to a cricketing masterclass on Saturday as one of the game's all-time greats dismantled a Gloucestershire side that had earlier looked like claiming a second Totesport League win in a row.

Shane Warne, the captain of Hampshire Hawks, had flown in direct from Australia for the game and proved to be his side's ace in the pack once again, claiming 4-27 as the Gladiators fell to a four-wicket defeat.

The result left Gloucestershire with only one win from their opening four National League games, and it already looks as though a repeat of last season's runners-up spot is out of the question.

For Australian legend Warne, though, it was yet another memorable day. Originally due to play in his country's Test series in Zimbabwe over the next month, the veteran leg spinner decided to fly back to England to rejoin Hampshire on Friday after the series was cancelled last week.

This was much to the dismay of Mark Alleyne and his Gloucestershire side, who had been led to believe that Warne may not be available to play after the fiasco surrounding the Test series.

In typical dramatic fashion, the 34-year-old master was the difference between the two sides as he led the Hawks' recovery after a promising Gladiators opening had looked like being match-winning material.

Indeed, Gloucestershire had been given a good start by an opening stand of 88 between Phil Weston and Craig Spearman. Former New Zealand opener Spearman was typically dynamic, hitting eight fours on his way to a 58-ball innings of 57.

Weston , meanwhile, patiently made his way to 75, all the while using up valuable overs which his side needed to post as high a score as possible. When Weston fell, the score was 162-2 and 34 overs had already gone. This meant that the rest of the Gladiators' order was inclined to attack the ball, and Alex Gidman and Matt Windows subsequently placed 26 and 25 respectively.

Then, Pakistan all-rounder and summer signing Shoaib Malik entered the fray and showed once more his prowess with the bat. The talented spin bowler hit a quickfire 51, which included five fours and a six, from just 35 deliveries.

However, Warne was the equal of the whole of Gloucestershire's attack. Claiming the vital wickets of Spearman, Weston, Windows and Malik, he was also responsible for running out Gidman off his own bowling and so virtually destroyed the home side's attack single-handedly as the Gladiators battled to their total of 240-5.

In truth, none of the team's batsmen looked entirely comfortable when facing Warne and, with the C&G Trophy Third Round tie against Hampshire looming for the team tomorrow, Alleyne will hope that yet another bizarre turn of events keeps the Australian out of the tie.

In reply, Hampshire started out brightly with opener James Hamblin hitting 42 as the Hawks chased a total that was easily 20 or so runs short of what the Gladiators would have liked.

Warne, batting at number three, again played a vital role. Scoring 48 off 49 balls, including a six that flew over mid-wicket, he ensured that the innings gained the momentum necessary to trouble the target.

But it was another Australian, Michael Dighton, who proved to be Hampshire's hero at the crease, hitting 74 on his team debut to take the side within touching distance. The new man produced a stirring array of stroke play to get his score off just 64 balls with a display that included two sixes and five fours.

Although Gloucestershire's own spin king Martyn Ball claimed the wickets of both Warne and Dighton the damage had already been done as Lawrence Prittipaul helped to nudge Hampshire over the target as the Hawks ended on 244-6 to claim victory. Mike Smith ended on 1-33, but the inform James Averis found the going a little tougher and proved to be quite expensive at 8.3-0-61-0.

All in all, a disappointing day for Gloucestershire, who will want to bounce back against the same opposition tomorrow as the two teams play each other once again for a place in the fourth round of the C&G Trophy at The County Ground.

However, with just one win in four in the Totesport League this season, the side already has a mountain to climb in order to challenge for honours.