Waugh rules out county return

Steve Waugh has ruled out a return to county cricket for the 2004 season, saying that he wants to spend more time with his family, now that he has retired from international cricket.

Waugh played two seasons for Somerset in 1987 and 1988, and returned for a four-match stint with Kent in 2002, as a short-term replacement for Andrew Symonds. His agent, Robert Joske, said that four counties had expressed an interest in his signature, but declined to name the interested parties.

The County Champions, Sussex, were recently rumoured to be on the look-out for a big-name signing to celebrate the first title of their 164-year existence, but in the end they opted for their tried-and-trusted overseas player, Murray Goodwin, who sealed last summer's Championship in true style with a triple-century against Leicestershire in the final match at Hove.

Other counties that have vacancies to fill include Nottinghamshire, who have been linked with a handful of Australian batsmen, and Middlesex. But Waugh, who retired after the fourth Test against India last month with a record 168 Test caps, was not tempted by any offers. He intends, however, to continue playing first-class cricket for his state side, New South Wales.