Steve Waugh determined to keep on playing

Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh said he had no intention of retiring despite being diagnosed with the potentially fatal condition deep vein thrombosis.

"Everyone keeps writing me off with the body and how much longer I am going to last," Waugh told reporters on Friday.

"But the truth of the matter is that while everyone keeps writing that, it makes me more determined to keep playing."

Earlier this week, Waugh confirmed he was receiving daily medication to thin his blood after being diagnosed with "economy class syndrome".

The 36-year-old developed a blood clot in his lower left leg when he tore a calf muscle during the third Ashes test against England, but returned to score a courageous unbeaten century in the fifth match of the series.

Despite his renowned fighting qualities, Waugh's latest bout of illness has led to speculation he might quit -- a suggestion that makes him bristle.

"If you want me to keep playing, keep writing me off because I enjoy that," he said."

The Australians will host New Zealand and South Africa in separate three-Test series later this year, with the contest against the Proteas likely to determine the number one Test ranking.

The Australians are currently number one in the world, but the South Africans could overtake them.

"Their profile hasn't been as high as ours but they are a side that gets the job done and are really hard to beat," Waugh said.

"If we beat those guys, then I guess we can say to everyone we are the number one side in the world. I think until we beat them, then there's still a bit of conjecture as to who is number one."

Mail Cricket Editor