ACB denies report Waugh will lose Test spot

The Australian Cricket Board on Wednesday denied claims by a British newspaper that Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh will be "squeezed out" of the Test team he has led for the past three years.

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Waugh will be rested for Australia's two-Test series against Zimbabwe next month to give recently named limited-overs skipper Ricky Ponting the chance to prove himself to the Australian selectors.

The report says Ponting will be given the captaincy for the Ashes tour in eight months time if he performs well.

ACB spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said that talk of Waugh being told he was dropped was rubbish and that he wouldn't even give the story credence by issuing a statement.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a self confessed cricket fanatic, said he hadn't seen the report but that he would certainly pick Waugh if it were up to him.

"I think he's a great captain, I'd always pick him," Howard said in a Sydney radio interview on Wednesday.

Waugh, 36, confirmed that chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns had given him no indication of any possible changes to the team which will be chosen next week to play Zimbabwe.

Waugh and twin brother Mark have already been dropped from Australia's one-day team.

Waugh flew back to Australia on Tuesday after averaging just 19.00 in Australia's 2-1 test series win in South Africa.

Ponting is to lead the Australian one-day side which will play seven matches against South Africa starting next week.

It will be the first time in 17 seasons that the Australian one-day squad will be without a Waugh.

As Test captain, Waugh has won 26 of 37 Tests.

Mail Cricket Editor