BBC SPORT | Cricket | Waugh warmed-up for Tests

Australia Test captain Steve Waugh says he is ready to take on Pakistan despite a six-month lay-off from international cricket.

Waugh was dropped from the one-day side last January, and replacement Ricky Ponting has led the side to an ICC Champions Trophy semi-final date with Sri Lanka on Friday.

Waugh's county form

County Champ:
Matches: 4
Runs: 224
Highest: 146
Ave: 44.80

One-day:
Matches: 5
Runs: 159
Highest: 59*
Ave: 39.75

With Australia's Test tour of Zimbabwe called off in April, Waugh was forced to spend five weeks playing county cricket with Kent to play himself into form.

"Preparations are not ideal, but realistically you don't get ideal situations these days," said Waugh as he arrived in Colombo, where the first Test begins on 3 October.

"There was no cricket for six months, so I went to Kent for five weeks. I have been looking forward to the series."

The series was shifted to neutral venues after Australia refused to tour because of security fears, and the second and third Tests will be played in Sharjah.

Key absences

Pakistan will be without the services of several key players, including left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram, opener Saeed Anwar and wicket-keeper Rashid Latif, left out of the squad.

Middle-order batsmen Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhanna pulled out with injuries.

Steve Waugh in one-day county action
Waugh had mixed success with Kent
"We know some of their senior players are not playing and it will be a bit difficult for young players, but still it is important for us to play good cricket," said Waugh.

"I can't say it will be 3-0 because there are other factors involved, like the weather, but we'd like to win each Test."

Waugh said he had so far no plans of quitting international cricket after the forthcoming Ashes series against England at home.

And he claimed he had not given up hope of a one-day recall ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, beginning next February.

"I want to keep playing as long as I am enjoying the game and improving. I'd like to go on my terms," he said Waugh.

"I am not a selector or coach. I have to work hard. I hope everything falls into place."


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