Mark Waugh has announced his retirement from international cricket today after being dropped from the Australian squad for the first Test against England.

Waugh, 37, told a media conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground he felt he still had the ability to play at international level. However, the 128-Test veteran said he might not have made the most of opportunities last season against New Zealand and South Africa to consolidate his position in the Australian side.

Waugh said he had played in a great era for Australian cricket, which included a 16-Test winning streak and the 1999 World Cup victory. He did not see age as an issue in selection, and said his replacement Darren Lehmann, 32, might have five years or 50 Tests ahead of him.

In Tests, Waugh made 8029 runs at 41.81 and claimed 59 wickets at 41.16, while his extraordinary fielding yielded 181 catches. He also scored 8500 runs and took 85 wickets and 108 catches in one-day internationals.

Waugh plans to play for New South Wales this summer, and has also received offers from counties in England to play at the end of the Australian domestic season.

© 2002 baggygreen.com.au

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.