Waugh set for fitting finale

14 April 2012

Steve Waugh will bid farewell to Test cricket by leading Australia in the series decider against India at his home ground on Friday.

Waugh admitted that the stage was set for a fitting finale. "I am really looking forward to it," he said. "But I want to think about the side and concentrate on the job that I have to do, as a captain and as a batsman."

Australia cruised to victory in the Third Test in the fourmatch series - Matthew Hayden reaching his half century as his partnership with Ricky Ponting guided Australia to a nine-wicket win in Melbourne.

India had scored 366 and 286 in their two innings, with Australia having scored 558 in their first innings and needing just 95 runs to win the match.

Ponting had been the hero in the first innings as he notched a staggering 257, and once again he played an important part in Australia's success as they took 22.2 overs to seal their win.

Despite losing Justin Langer lbw off Ajit Agarkar for two early on, the result was never in doubt. Hayden reached 53 and Ponting hit 31 as Australia scored 97 to level the series.

Waugh also said he had doubts about whether he would be fit enough to play in the Fourth Test against India, his final match before retiring, in Sydney this week.

Waugh was struck on the arm by Agarkar and retired hurt on nought in Australia's first innings before returning to share a 65-run partnership with Ricky Ponting.

"At the time I obviously thought I had broken my arm.

Whilst the lump looked ugly, that wasn't the problem, it was gripping the bat," Waugh said. "I had this pain down my arm."

Waugh, the game's mostcapped player with 167 Tests, is also its second-leading Test runscorer and most successful captain. He led Australia to their 1999 World Cup success and has guided the team to the top of the Test rankings.