October 30 Wednesday 2002
Steve Waugh aims to avoid twin's fate

SYDNEY: Australian Test skipper Steve Waugh wants to go out on his own terms -- unlike twin Mark -- but refuses to put a timetable on it for fear of creating more scrutiny and pressure.

The Australian Test captain believes his brother's axing on Monday from the squad for the first Ashes Test could ease some tension within the team but is aware the selection focus on his own batting performance will intensify as a result.

Waugh said on Tuesday it would feel odd walking on to the Gabba for the first Ashes Test on November 7 against England without Mark as a teammate. But the 37-year-old Test campaigner relished the challenge of scoring runs to maintain control of his own future and wouldn't rule out playing well beyond the Ashes cricket series.

"I haven't put a date on when I'm going to finish," said Waugh, who eased mounting pressure with his unbeaten 103 against Pakistan in the third Test in Sharjah this month -- his first Test century in 14 months and 17 innings.

"I don't know whether it's going to be this season or next season or whenever, but I'd like to continue playing well. "I don't really want someone to say, 'I think your time's up'. In some ways it's in my own hands when I'm going to finish."

Waugh believed setting a retirement date was unwise. "I really don't want to put a date on it because I think you play accordingly," he said. "I think you can stifle yourself by saying, 'this is my last match,' and get bogged down and just focus on that too much."

Waugh accepted Mark's dropping as part of the tough job asked of selectors. The captain's form has been less consistent than Mark's since they both scored centuries in the fifth Test against England in August last year. Steve had averaged 28 since while Mark averaged 30.5.

The need for a high-scoring summer is just the type of challenge the fiercely-competitive Waugh thrives on. "I'm not going to lie and say every moment's been enjoyable playing for Australia," said Waugh.

"It's been challenging and that's certainly the case still, but that's why I love it. "I love going out there and coming back from adversity. I think that's the greatest part about sport, not when you're going well, it's how you come back from when you're struggling."

Waugh admitted the on-going selection debate over himself and his twin had affected the team. "Maybe in some ways there will be a little bit of easing of the pressure," he said. "There's no doubt that when someone's under pressure or being scrutinised pretty closely, you do feel for that player and it probably does put a little bit of extra pressure on the side.