Pak series could end my Test career: Waugh

Mark Waugh says failure in the Test series against Pakistan later this year could signal the end of his Australia career.

Waugh, speaking at the launch of his autobiography on Thursday, said he hoped to regain his place in the one-day side in time for next year's World Cup but added: "First of all I've got the Test series against Pakistan.

"If I don't perform there, I could be on my last legs for Australia. I'm confident I can do well."

Australia are due to play Pakistan away in October before hosting the Ashes at the turn of the year.

The 37-year-old, who has played 125 Tests and 244 one-day internationals, said he felt lucky to have been part of an Australian team which won the 1999 World Cup as well as a world record 16 consecutive Test wins.

"Just because I'm bringing out a book doesn't mean it's the end of my career," he told reporters at the launch of "Mark Waugh: The biography", adding: "I'd like to play for another couple of years."

Waugh and twin brother Steve, Australia's Test captain, have both been dropped for the one-day side but are expected to remain in the Test team, though neither impressed in their last series against South Africa earlier this year.

FITNESS CAMPAIGN

Waugh said he had embarked on a fitness campaign. "I'm feeling pretty fit and I've probably lost a bit of weight," said the right-handed batsman, who plans to play for Essex in the final three weeks of the English county season.

He reveals in the book that he almost quit cricket following allegations that he was linked with illegal Indian bookmaker MK Gupta.

His stress peaked in January last year when an International Cricket Council (ICC) corruption team arrived in Melbourne to interview him over the matter. He was ultimately cleared through lack of evidence.

CHILDHOOD HEROES

Waugh said his childhood heroes were former West Indies captain Viv Richards and ex-Australia batsmen Doug Walters and Greg Chappell. "If I've got a bit of their play in my game, I'd be pretty happy," he said.

Waugh has hit 7,949 runs at an average of 42.28 including 20 centuries. He is also as one of the game's best fielders, boasting a world record of 173 catches, mainly at slip.

Waugh has also made 18 centuries in one-day internationals.

Born four minutes after his twin Steve in 1965, "Junior" has often been in the shadow of his brother, the third-highest Test run scorer in the game's history.

Criticised for getting out to "lazy" shots, Waugh defends himself in the book about accusations that he doesn't value his wicket highly enough.

"All I can say is that I have played my guts out for my club, my state, my country," he said.

Waugh also relates how, as a 21-year-old, he first started dating Sue Porter, who was 34 and married with three children.

They were workmates at a sports centre in Sydney.

"It wasn't love at first sight. Sue was married, and I was just a young fella who was a bit naive when it came to girls."

The couple have been engaged for six years although Porter does not share Waugh's love of gambling on race horses.

Porter insists on one gambling-free day a week when they are at home together.

Mail Cricket Editor