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 is over.

And like his twin, Steve, who is at a similar crossroad, he has come to England for a lightning stint in county cricket to get his eye in and some runs on the board in time for Australia's relocated three-Test series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Sharjah next month.

Waugh, who has not played since Australia's last Test against South Africa in April, arrived in London today to play the last four games of the county season for Essex, while Steve is one match into his similar stint with Kent.

The 37-year-old twins were dropped from the national one-day side last season and speculation mounted over their places in the Test team after a lean summer each against New Zealand and South Africa.

And Mark acknowledged the Pakistan series was his last chance to ensure he 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 the Pakistan 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'm batting well enough to make runs.

"Last season I was getting to 30 and 40 pretty easy and I was just getting 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-time great limited overs batsmen, has all but given up hope of a return to Australia's one-day team.

"I'd like to play one-day cricket but realistically it's a forlorn chance, but you never know. If players get injured or lose form and I'm playing 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 at that level."

Cricket was not his primary reason for coming to England, with book signings and promotions for his recently released biography his first engagement.

Essex, with whom he has spent four seasons in the 1980s and '90s, coincidentally contacted him when he was due over here for business anyway 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 well with 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 Steve in either a championship or one-day match.