Mark Waugh announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday having being left out of the team by the selectors after 128 Tests, and 108 alongside his brother.

His place has been taken by South Australia left-hander Darren Lehmann.

"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have played alongside my brother at Test level for the past 12 years," Steve Waugh said.

"And it will seem very strange not to have him with us when we walk out in Brisbane.

"Mark has been an inspiration not only to his team-mates but also to a host of young players because of the way he has played the game - hard but fair and in a positive way."

Australian Cricket Board chief executive James Sutherland said Mark would be remembered as one of the country's all-time greats.

His contribution to the game will be recognised during the fifth Ashes Test in his home town of Sydney in January.

"His 14 years at the elite level have been studded with records and he will be remembered as one of the finest cricketers this country has ever produced," Sutherland said.

Former team-mates also paid tribute to the flamboyant batsman.

Ian Healy, who was forced into retirement himself by the selectors three years ago, said that the romance had gone out of the game with Waugh's retirement.

"I'm not really surprised. It's a great bloke and a great player finished. But I'm delighted for Darren Lehmann," he said.

Former fast bowler Merv Hughes believes Waugh should have made the side for his slip catching alone.

"Probably Mark was the sacrificial lamb. I thought they might have given him the first two Test matches to see how he was going," Hughes said.

But another ex-Australian Test star Bob Massie disagreed with the view that Waugh should have stayed.

"I think the time had come for a change. He has been a bit up and down and I think the selectors have done the right thing," he said.