The Australian captain was speaking 24 hours after his twin brother Mark had had his Test career prematurely ended by the ruthless selectors.

Last season, they also decided that both Waughs should be axed from the one-day squad.

Steve Waugh told reporters at the launch of his latest book: "It's in my own hands when I'm going to finish.

"I don't want someone to say: 'I think your time's up.' "

Opinion in Australia is split on how long Steve will continue his international career.

If he plays in all five Tests, two landmarks could come his way.

He could equal Allan Border's world record of 156 Test appearances.

And he could also feature in eight successful Ashes campaigns - becoming the first player in the game's history to do so.

But he may be tempted to go on and surpass Border.

This season or next

"I haven't put a date on when I'm going to finish," he said.

"I don't know if it's going to be this season or next season. I just want to continue playing well."

Meanwhile, Australia's cricket-loving Prime Minister John Howard led another wave of tributes to Mark.

"He's had a very long career as an Australian player and I thank him for what he has put into Australian cricket," said Howard.

Most ordinary Australians were incensed by the decision to drop Mark from the Test team.

Talkback radio programs and newspaper letters pages were flooded with criticism of selectors Trevor Hohns, Allan Border, David Boon and Andrew Hilditch.

One disgruntled reader felt moved enough to tell the Sydney Morning Herald "it feels like the day JFK was shot."