Judge us by results: Steve Waugh

The form of the Waugh brothers is not a concern as long as Australia keep winning, captain Steve Waugh said on Friday on the eve of the third test against Pakistan.

Pakistan coach Richard Pybus provoked a row by suggesting that Waugh and his 37-year-old twin Mark might be reaching the end of their test careers after failing to notch a century between them in 11 tests since last year's tour of England.

"I want to score runs and we want to win every Test we play and that's the goal," said Waugh, whose side take a 2-0 lead into the final match of the series.

"I think when you see Australia play, you see a result and that's not happened everywhere. It's a very successful side and time will be the judge. We guys can still raise our side."

Steve has scored 31, 0 and 0 in this series while Mark has made 55, 0 and two but, more importantly to the Australia skipper, Australia have won seven, drawn three and lost just one of the tests since a Waugh last hit a hundred.

"Both of us got runs in the first innings for first test in Colombo and then Shoaib Akhtar turned the match for a while. We won the match in the end and that's what counts," he added.

"We want to win every match we play. That's our thinking.

"We want to win the series 3-0. But the job will be a lot harder this time as I am sure Pakistan must have worked out some game plan of staging a comeback."

Pakistan would surely welcome two such experienced test batsmen as the Waughs into their side after collapsing to their lowest scores of 59 and 53 in losing the second Test by an innings and 198 runs.

To add to his problems, skipper Waqar Younis will take to the field with a weakened bowling attack after Pakistan's leading fast bowler Shoaib was ruled out by a back injury.

"What has happened in the past can't be reversed, but we are looking for a much improved performance in this Test," said Waqar.

"The wicket is slow and we an extra option with the inclusion of Shahid Afridi in the team. The loss of Shoaib Akhtar is a big blow, but then there is nothing we could do about it."

"We are not concerned about the bowling department, but our batting has been pretty vulnerable."

Waugh said the one-sided nature of the second Test was not just caused by Pakistan's weakness, which augured well for the Ashes series against England starting next month.

ONE-SIDED

"We played outstanding cricket (in the series) so you got to give credit the way we played and not concentrate on how badly Pakistan played," Waugh said.

"We played excellent cricket and pressurised Pakistan batsmen into making mistakes and took our opportunities. We are ready for this Test and ready for the England contest."

A major factor in the Test, he added, would be the weather conditions in the Gulf, where the match is being played because of concerns about the security situation in Pakistan.

"It's not easy to train in this oppressive heat, but we have got to come out and handle the conditions," he said. "We know that, but the Australian team pride itself being a very tough side."

"We handled the conditions pretty well last time and had a good couple of days rest and have prepared well so there are no excuses."

Waugh said the third Test was likely to produce a result since the wicket is dry and may take turn. His opposite number will be hoping that it will be a result to boost dented Pakistani pride rather than a pre-Ashes boost for the Australians.

"We know people back home were hurt when he lost the second Test, but ours is young side and will start delivering goods once it is matured," Waqar said. "We can only improve now."

Mail Cricket Editor