Waugh reads the signs
LONDON – Mark Waugh can see the signs and knows what they mean.Make runs against Pakistan, or your international cricket career isover.And like his twin, Steve, who is at a similar crossroad, he has come toEngland for a lightning stint in county cricket to get his eye in andsome runs on the board in time for Australia’s relocated three-Testseries against Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Sharjah next month.Waugh, who has not played since Australia’s last Test against SouthAfrica in April, arrived in London today to play the last four games ofthe county season for Essex, while Steve is one match into his similarstint with Kent.The 37-year-old twins were dropped from the national one-day side lastseason and speculation mounted over their places in the Test team aftera lean summer each against New Zealand and South Africa.And Mark acknowledged the Pakistan series was his last chance to ensurehe stayed in the team for the home Ashes series against England.”I don’t feel under pressure but I know I’ve got to make runs in thePakistan series,” he said.”If I don’t make runs there, I don’t think I’ll be playing in the Ashes,so it’s up to me to perform now.”I’m not stupid, I know when the signs are there. But I think I’mbatting well enough to make runs.”Last season I was getting to 30 and 40 pretty easy and I was justgetting out. I’ve just got to convert those scores to some big scores.”While his Test career is in the balance, Waugh, one of the all-timegreat limited overs batsmen, has all but given up hope of a return toAustralia’s one-day team.”I’d like to play one-day cricket but realistically it’s a forlornchance, but you never know. If players get injured or lose form and I’mplaying well, they might look for experience,” he said.”They’ve not gone totally but I wouldn’t say my chances are great.”It is disappointing because I still think I’m good enough to play atthat level.”Cricket was not his primary reason for coming to England, with booksignings and promotions for his recently released biography his firstengagement.Essex, with whom he has spent four seasons in the 1980s and ’90s,coincidentally contacted him when he was due over here for businessanyway and he jumped at the chance.He hinted he could return to Essex to see out his career.”It depends on how long I play for Australia, if this season goes wellwith Australia then probably not, if it doesn’t then I might come back.”He plays his first game next week but will not get to play against Stevein either a championship or one-day match.