October 02 Wednesday 2002
Facing the unthinkable, life without the Waugh twins

COLOMBO: Australia's redoubtable Waugh brothers go into a Test series against Pakistan from Thursday (tomorrow) battling to prolong their careers after being put on notice by the selectors.

Steve and Mark Waugh need runs against their names to prevent the unthinkable, an Australian Test side without either of them for the Ashes clash against England at home next month. The 37-year-old twins have been a constant feature in Australian Test teams since Steve, elder by four minutes, made his debut 17 seasons ago.

The Waughs have played 103 Test matches together, almost double the next best of 57 by the Zimbabwean siblings Andy and Grant Flower. All that could, however, change if the Pakistan series does not go according to plan.

Steve could still retain the Australian Test captaincy if his team defeats Pakistan in the three-Test series to be played at neutral venues in Colombo and Sharjah. But Mark may find himself out in the cold against England if he fails with the bat as the selectors look for younger players to build for the future.