NEW DELHI (AP):

AUSTRALIAN SPIN bowler and Hampshire captain Shane Warne will lead the Jaipur squad in the inaugural edition of the lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League, team owner Emerging Media said yesterday.

Emerging Media's chief executive, Fraser Castellino, said Warne's achievements made him the ideal choice as captain and coach.

"Shane has been a winner throughout his career. His experience of over 15 years in international cricket will be invaluable to a team of players from different countries, cultures, and ages," Castellino said in a statement.

He said Warne's extraordinary achievements and his unique understanding of the game led to the strategic appointment as captain and coach of "Rajasthan Royals", the name give to Jaipur's team.

Meanwhile, former South African skipper Keppler Wessels has been appointed coach of the southern Chennai team, which has been named the 'Super Kings'.