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| March 14, 2003 | Friday | Muharram 10, 1424 |
Waugh yet to decide on Test career
BRISBANE, March 13: Australian captain Steve Waugh said on Thursday he had yet to make a decision about his Test career ahead of the announcement of the national team to tour the West Indies.
Waugh said he was thinking only about leading New South Wales into Friday’s five-day Interstate Shield final against Queensland at the Gabba here.
But a decision must be made by Sunday because Australian selectors will conduct a phone hook-up later that night to settle on a 15-man squad to play in the Caribbean.
Waugh is expected to play on next month, particularly given his repeated claims to be thoroughly enjoying his cricket.
“I haven’t really thought too much about it. There’s been a lot of speculation and people keep asking me,” Waugh said at a press conference here on Thursday.
“It’s funny in a way because I feel as if I don’t have to make a decision because right now I’m still playing cricket.
“I don’t see it as such a big thing.
“Retirements are a bit overstated and the lap of honour and everyone telling you how good you are. People tend to make it into a bigger deal than what it is.
“I just want to get out there and play cricket at the moment and I’ll decide when the time comes but I haven’t made a decision.”
Waugh’s Australian teammate Glenn McGrath said from South Africa on Thursday he had no idea whether the Test captain would play on.
McGrath and wife Jane are close to Waugh and his wife Lynette.
“Jane has spoken to Lynette and they haven’t given anything away,” McGrath told Australian Associated Press.
“They’ve got their reasons for that. If Lynette doesn’t know, there’s only one person that does know and maybe he’s still trying to work it out. That’s Stephen, though.”
National selector Trevor Hohns said he had received no indication from Waugh and insisted the selection panel would not try to influence the 37-year-old’s decision.
“We’re really leaving it to him,” Hohns said. “We need to find out what his intentions are.”
Hohns plans to speak with Waugh during the final and he may have an ideal chance on Friday with drizzle expected to delay the start of the match.—AFP
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