DURBAN, March 18: Australian Test captain Steve Waugh said he hoped his battered Australian cap would still be worn again following his team’s five-wicket defeat in the third and final Test against South Africa at Kingsmead Monday.

World Test champions Australia won the previous five Tests against the second-ranked South Africans.

“We’re disappointed to lose the final match but if someone had said four or five months ago, take five-one, we’d have been pretty happy with that. South Africa played well and they have some good young players but we played very good cricket for most of the summer.”

Waugh, 36, deflected speculation about the future of himself and twin brother Mark, who were both dropped from the Australian one-day side that will play seven limited overs internationals against South Africa in the next three weeks.

Australia are scheduled to start a two-Test series in Zimbabwe April 25 and Waugh admitted he was not certain whether he and Mark would be back in Africa following moderate performances at home and away against South Africa.

“I was pleased with the way I batted in the second innings and Mark played pretty well in both innings.”

Waugh wished new one-day captain Ricky Ponting good luck. He said he would enjoy spending time with his family, but added: “I’d rather be playing the one-dayers. It’ll be nice to have a break but hopefully I will be back for Zimbabwe.”—AFP