Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh confirmed today he was suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

Waugh said he had a minor case of the potentially serious condition in his injured calf muscle which may have been linked to his flight back from the Ashes tour in England.

"It's a blockage in one of the small veins and it's going to take some work to fix it properly," said Waugh, who is having blood thinning treatment.

He is still expected to be fit to lead Australia in the first Test of the domestic summer against New Zealand at the Gabba from November 8-12.

Waugh said he felt there was something wrong after flying back from the Ashes tour at the end of August because his leg seemed more painful than it should have been from the calf muscle tear he'd suffered in the third Test.

Tests then revealed a blood clot in a vein in his calf muscle.

"I only got it checked out just to have all bases covered," he said.

While Waugh missed the fourth Test with the calf muscle injury he returned and limped his way to a brave 157 not out as Australia won the fifth Test at The Oval.

Waugh is expected to miss New South Wales' first two domestic limited overs matches and possibly also its first four-day interstate match as he recuperates.

© 2001 AAP