Mark Waugh expected to announce retirement

Mark Waugh is widely expected to confirm his retirement from first-class cricket tomorrow, after a career that has lasted for nearly 20 years.

Waugh, who made his debut for New South Wales in 1985-86, was dropped from Australia's Test team prior to last year's Ashes series. He has scored 26,765 runs in 366 first-class matches, at an average of 52.07, including 81 first-class centuries. Twenty of those came in his 128 Tests, but Mark's twin brother Steve spoke for both Waughs when he admitted that motivation was fractionally harder now that the opportunity to represent Australia had passed.

"It's certainly different when you can't play for Australia," said Steve Waugh. "I'm still giving it 100%, but you haven't quite got that 2-3% edge when you're striving to play for Australia. Once you haven't got that opportunity, it sort of drops off in that regard just a fraction. It's just a fact."

At the start of the season, Mark hinted that he might be bowing out sooner rather than later. "I'm not getting any younger," he admitted back in October. "I'm not saying this is it for sure, but I've got to be realistic. There are young players on the fringe at the moment who will be ready next year and I don't want to stand in their way."

The current domestic season has been a frustrating one for the Waugh twins, with New South Wales stumbling in defence of their Pura Cup title. There is still an outside chance of a place in next month's final, although it will take an improbable set of results for that to happen. "If we win two games outright and Tasmania stumble and Queensland don't get any more points, there is that glimmer of possibility," said Steve. "There's plenty to play for."

But for both brothers, the end of an era seems to be fast approaching.