PERTH, Oct 2: Australian Test captain Steve Waugh on Thursday gave the strongest hint yet that retirement from international ranks may be on the horizon.

Waugh, 38, made it clear the new season just starting in Australia may be his final summer of Test cricket at home.

Waugh has frequently spoken of victory in next September’s trip to India as a major goal before he quits.

Asked if that was still the case, Waugh replied: “I am not exactly sure when that is going to be, but there is a good chance this will be the last time I am going to play in Perth.”

Waugh next week will lead his side in Perth in the first of two Tests against Zimbabwe.

India remains on Waugh’s “unfinished business” list after his side lost 2-1 there in a dramatic three-Test series in 2001.

Waugh has been in brilliant form since making a career-saving century against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the New Year Test, having scored four centuries in his past seven Tests.

He can continue his march into cricket history by scoring a hundred at the WACA Ground in the opening Test against Zimbabwe starting next Thursday.

The Perth ground is the only Test venue in Australia where he has not reached three figures.

The 162-Test veteran admitted he did not know much about the Zimbabweans, but expected the Africans to put up a spirited showing.

“I don’t know a lot of their players, I know they have a good coach in Geoff Marsh (former Australian Test batsman and national coach) and a good bowling coach in Bruce Reid (former Ausatralian Test fast bowler) and I like the way they play their cricket,” he said.

“They are always very spirited and give 100 per cent .. and they have nothing to lose, so they will be a dangerous opponent.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe on Thursday named a virtual full-strength side to clash with Western Australia from Friday in a three-day rehearsal for the first Test starting next week.

The only notable omission from the team to shape up at the WACA Ground is paceman Douglas Hondo, who has a thigh strain.

Teams (from):

Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (captain), Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Craig Evans, Trevor Gripper, Sean Ervine, Ray Price, Mark Vermeulen, Craig Wishart.