Steve Waugh returns to the nets

Australia captain Steve Waugh, recovering from illness and injury, batted for the first time in six weeks on Wednesday in preparation for next month's series against New Zealand.

Waugh, 36, who missed the fourth Test against England in August because of a calf injury, returned for the fifth Test at The Oval, scoring 157 not out as the injury deteriorated.

Prescribed blood-thinning medication for a blood clot in his left calf, Waugh had not picked up a bat for six weeks until going into the nets on Wednesday.

He said he wanted to play for New South Wales in their inter-state match against South Australia starting on October 26 in Sydney as part of his preparations for the first test, which starts in Brisbane on November 8.

"I'm very confident (of playing). I've had injuries and setbacks in the past, it only makes me want to be there even more," Waugh said in an Australian television interview on Wednesday.

"It'd be nice to play a four-day (game) before the test match. I haven't picked up a bat since I've come home which in some ways is good.

"I like to get away from cricket, but now I've got to get back into it pretty seriously."

Meanwhile, Waugh's twin brother Mark split the webbing in his right hand on Wednesday while fielding in the slips for NSW on the first day of the four-day interstate match against Tasmania in Sydney.

STITCHES

He was taken to hospital and had two stitches, but was cleared to bat on Thursday.

Steve Waugh, who averaged 107 in the recent Ashes series which Australia won 4-1, missed the third test in Adelaide during the 2000-01 home series against West Indies after suffering a strained buttock muscle.

He returned for the Boxing Day test in Melbourne, scoring a typically gritty unbeaten 121.

"I've been written off by a few people in the press," Waugh said. "That's fair enough, they can say what they want but I just want them to know that they're sort of motivating me to get back there even quicker."

Mail Cricket Editor