Australian Test captain may resign

Taylor, who was named Australian of the Year on Monday, has said he is still trying to decide whether to make himself available for a tour of the West Indies later this year and spend another few months away from his young family.

But Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday that Taylor had already decided to retire from the Test side and was expected to make the announcement as early as Friday.

The newspaper said Taylor planned to inform the Australian Cricket Board formally of his decision Wednesday or Thursday and hold a news conference to make it all public Friday.

Taylor, who has amassed 26 wins and only 13 losses in his 50 Tests as Australia's captain, matched Bradman's 334 Test record in Peshawar last October after overcoming a batting slump that prompted calls for his resignation.

The Test captain, considered by many among the best to lead Australia, was coy when asked about his future.

``I have to really want to go away and I have to think about whether I want to leave (wife) Judi and the boys (two sons) again,'' he told the Telegraph.

``No matter what I do, I know they will support me.''

Taylor, said he would play on with New South Wales for a time if he retired from the Test side.

Receiving Australia's top award Monday had been the greatest honour of his career, Taylor said, and he planned to spend the Australia Day national holiday Tuesday enjoying its afterglow.

``This is definitely the greatest honour of my career,'' Taylor said. ``When I wake up Wednesday morning I'm going to think about my cricket and I'll decide what I'm going to do from that point on.''

The award had made the tough times he went through worthwhile, he said.

``It goes to show you that if you hang in there long enough, you can turn things around,'' he said. ``Just 18 months ago I could have been out of the Australian side.''