'Waugh's century ends hard slog'

Australia's newspapers rejoiced on Monday after Test cricket captain Steve Waugh ended a dismal run of form with a defiant 103 not out in the third Test against Pakistan.

Melbourne tabloid newspaper the Herald Sun's main sports story was headlined "Waugh's ton ends a long, hard slog".

The Australian captain reached his 28th Test century with his second six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in Sharjah on Sunday, moving ahead of former Australia skipper Allan Border (27) as the fourth most prolific compiler of Test centuries.

The 37-year-old's first Test hundred in 17 innings left him trailing only Indian pair Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (30) and Australia's Don Bradman (29).

"A steely Waugh extinguished doubts over his short-term future with an undefeated 103," the newspaper said.

"There were doubts whether Steve had lost the ability to post a big score after managing only 345 runs at 21.56 in his past 16 innings."

The country's only national broadsheet daily The Australian ran a large photograph of a defiant Waugh to lead their sports section with a headline "Champions back on the Waugh path".

Waugh's first Test century for 14 months had not only strengthened his place in the team but also added steel to the middle order of Test cricket's top-ranked side ahead of next month's Ashes series, The Australian newspaper said.

"It also carried Australia to the cusp of yet another Test series whitewash, the sixth under Waugh's captaincy," the newspaper said.

The Age newspaper's main sports headline was "Waugh's ton ends drought" above a story which said the veteran would surely lead Australia in the first Test against England in Brisbane starting on November 7.

"He collects runs and his team wins matches, and the rest is ballyhoo," The Age said.

Mail Cricket Editor