Waugh "switched on" by Walsh

Australian captain Steve Waugh has welcomed Courtney Walsh's decision to tour with the West Indies here this summer, saying it would make his cricket team "switch on."

Walsh is the backbone of the under-performing Windies team and needs 17 more wickets to become the first player to reach 500 Test wickets.

Waugh, who already knew about the pace bowler's decision, said the milestone of 500 wickets would have been an incentive for him to head down under despite a tough year.

"I knew he was coming four weeks ago," Waugh said, adding "the cricket grapevine" had kept him abreast of developments. "I'd rather see him out here -- I'm glad he's coming because he'll make us switch on.

"People have been telling us we're going to beat them easily but it won't be easy. "He's a quality player and he'll be a real threat out here this summer."

A newspaper report Sunday said Walsh had told West Indies chairman of selectors, Mike Findlay, he wanted to play in the five Test series against Australia this summer.

Mail Cricket Editor