Vaas set to join Hampshire

Hampshire look set to announce the signing of Chaminda Vaas as their overseas replacement for veteran Pakistani Wasim Akram who quit the county earlier in the month.

Vaas, 29, who has taken 216 wickets in 68 Tests for Sri Lanka, held talks with Hampshire after Heath Streak, Zimbabwe's captain, turned down an offer of a second spell with the county. Paul Terry, Hampshire's manager, said that an official announcement will be made later in the week.

Streak turned down Hampshire's approaches as he wanted to spend more time with his family after Zimbabwe's recent tour of England.

Wasim Akram left Hampshire halfway through a one-year contract because of his continuing battle with diabetes which had restricted him to just five of their eight first-class matches.