Captain Steve Waugh said tonight he was determined to reclaim his place in the Australian cricket team for the first Test against New Zealand next month.

Waugh missed the fourth Test of the triumphant Ashes series in England with a torn calf and a subsequent bout of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prevented him from starting the domestic season with NSW.

His withdrawal from this week's NSW-Tasmania game raised speculation that he could miss the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba starting Nov 8.

But he was back in the nets today for the first time in six weeks with his eye on next week's Pura Cup match against South Australia.

"I'm very confident (of playing). I've had injuries and setbacks in he past, it only makes me want to be there even more," the 36-year-old told Fox Sports.

"It'd be nice to play a four-day 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."

Renowned for his mental toughness, Waugh said recent criticism over his health only served as further motivation.

He also missed a Test last summer with a strained buttock muscle.

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

© 2001 AAP