Waugh hints at retirement

Steve Waugh gave the strongest hint yet that his retirement is not too far away when he made it clear that the new Australian season is likely to be his final summer of Test cricket at home.

Victory in Australia's tour to India in September 2004 remains a major goal of Waugh's before he quits, after they lost 2-1 there in a dramatic series in 2001. Asked if that was still the case, he replied: "I am not exactly sure when that is going to be, but there is a good chance this will be the last time I am going to play in Perth."

Waugh, 38, has been in good touch since making a memorable hundred against England at Sydney in the New Year Test. He's notched up four centuries in his past seven matches, and if he racks up another at Perth, venue for the first game against Zimbabwe, he will have scored a hundred at each of Australia's current Test grounds.

Speaking before his 163rd Test (another record), Waugh admitted he did not know much about the Zimbabweans, but expected them to put up a fight. "I don't know a lot of their players, I know they have a good coach in Geoff Marsh and a good bowling coach in Bruce Reid and I like the way they play their cricket," he said. "They are always very spirited and give 100% ... and they have nothing to lose, so they will be a dangerous opponent."