Waugh gets deadline for Test decision

Steve Waugh has only days to tell national selectors whether he wants to continue his Test career in the Caribbean next month.

The selection panel must know by Sunday, with a likely phone hook-up later that night to determine the 15-man squad to confront the West Indies in four Tests.

Waugh's plans aren't known and he again brushed off questions at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Friday's Pura Cup final between Queensland and Waugh's NSW at the Gabba.

"No comment. I'm here to talk about the NSW game," Waugh told journalists.

Blues coach Steve Rixon wants Waugh to play in the Caribbean after the 37-year-old unleashed three centuries for NSW in the last five weeks.

"He's in sensational form and he would be a blessing to have in any one of those sides over there in the one-day comp right now [World Cup] and, more importantly, any four-day side or any five-day side," Rixon said.

"He's going to continue to do the business ... it's really whether Stephen himself wants to go on and no one really knows that."

National selector Trevor Hohns said he would speak with Waugh in Brisbane later this week, with the captain's future to affect the make-up of the squad.

If Waugh plays on for Australia, the race for a reserve batting spot will become even tighter with rising NSW star Michael Clarke further enhancing his claims.

Clarke and Queensland pair Martin Love and Ashley Noffke can boost their claims during the Pura Cup final, although Hohns expected most of the selection issues were already settled.

"I would hate to say that there is a lot hinging on this match," Hohns said today.

"There are a few blokes on show who are a realistic chance.

"In our minds, we have most of the squad already down and it's a matter of checking the form of some players this weekend."

Noffke has plenty to gain if he can skittle the Blues again after barging through their top order at the SCG last Friday.

He could nudge West Australian Brad Williams out of a bowling spot after taking 35 wickets at an average of 20.74 for Queensland this season.

The 15-man squad enables selectors room to move because they will not necessarily add a reserve wicketkeeper.

A back-up gloveman could be added later in the month as a 16th player once selectors spoke with vice-captain Adam Gilchrist about his workload.

Selectors have used a tour berth in the past to give experience to a younger player, with Shane Watson and Nathan Hauritz taken on tour last year.

"We really have scope to do a lot of things in a squad of 15," Hohns said.

"It gives us the option to take an extra fast bowler and we'll wait until the World Cup is over before we talk to Adam Gilchrist about how he's feeling."

Hohns will receive reports on the fitness of South Australian quick Jason Gillespie, who is hoping to recover from a heel injury before the tour squad leaves on April 1.

The NSW squad will arrive in Brisbane tomorrow with Waugh insisting Queensland will miss injured veteran Stuart Law.

The former skipper was ruled out today with a wrist injury while injured players Joe Dawes (back) and Lee Carseldine (back) were included in a predictable 12-man squad.

If Dawes and Carseldine prove their fitness, Queensland's 12th man duties will probably fall to left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson or swing bowler Adam Dale.