Waugh can keep leading role

Australia's selectors say Steve Waugh is virtually assured now of leading the Test team on this year's tour of West Indies after his record-equalling century in the fifth Test.

The chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns stopped short of saying Waugh was guaranteed to stay on as captain but he said the decision on his future was now up to him, ending any speculation that he might be sacked.

"If he wishes to continue, it's up to him," Hohns said. "We don't have to sit down and pick the team to the West Indies until March. There is plenty of time for him to consider everything."

Waugh appeared to be under pressure to keep his place in the side after a modest run of form before silencing his critics with his 29th century, to equal Australia's record set by Donald Bradman.

In a performance that could not have been scripted better, he made a brilliant 102 to resurrect Australia's first innings and, as well as equalling Bradman's record, became only the third man in history to reach 10,000 Test runs.

"It was an incredible innings," Hohns said yesterday. "But I'm not in a position to speculate on the future. It's up to Steve to let us know what his plans are."