SYDNEY - Steve Waugh wants to go out on his own terms - unlike twin Mark - but won't put a date on it for fear of creating more pressure.

The Australian Test captain believes his brother's sacking yesterday could ease some tension within the team but is well aware the selection focus on his own batting performance will intensify as a result.

Waugh admitted today it would feel odd walking onto the Gabba for the first Ashes Test in nine days' time without Mark in the side.

But the 37-year-old relished the challenge of scoring runs to maintain control of his own future and wouldn't rule out playing well beyond the Ashes cricket series.

"I haven't put a date on when I'm going to finish," said Waugh, who eased the pressure on himself with his unbeaten 103 against Pakistan in the third Test in Sharjah this month -- his first Test century in 14 months and 17 innings.

"I don't know whether it's going to be this season or next season or whenever, but I'd like to continue playing well.

"I don't really want someone to say, 'I think your time's up'. In some ways it's in my own hands when I'm going to finish."

Waugh believed setting a retirement date was unwise.

"I really don't want to put a date on it because I think you play accordingly," he said.

"I think you can stifle yourself by saying, 'this is my last match', and get bogged down and just focus on that too much."

Waugh accepted Mark's axing as part of the tough job asked of selectors.

The captain's form has been less consistent than Mark's since they both scored centuries in the fifth Test against England in August last year.

Steve had averaged 28 since while Mark averaged 30.5.

The need for a sparkling summer is just the type of challenge the fiercely competitive Waugh thrives on.

"I'm not going to lie and say every moment's been enjoyable playing for Australia," said Waugh, reflecting on a tumultuous past year that forms the basis of his latest Captain's Diary book launched in Sydney today.

"It's been challenging and that's certainly the case still, but that's why I love it.

"I love going out there and coming back from adversity. I think that's the greatest part about sport, not when you're going well, it's how you come back from when you're struggling."

Waugh admitted ongoing selection debate over he and Mark had affected his team.

"Maybe in some ways there will be a little bit of easing of the pressure," he said.

"There's no doubt that when someone's under pressure or being scrutinised pretty closely, you do feel for that player and it probably does put a little bit of extra pressure on the side.

"But I thought the team was handling it pretty well."

He welcomed 32-year-old Darren Lehmann's selection as his brother's replacement and thought calls for his young NSW teammate Michael Clarke's inclusion were a little premature.

"The guy [Clarke] is a talent but I'd like to think, 'give him a little bit more time'," said Waugh.

"He's talented but you're forgetting quite a few other guys like [Simon] Katich, [Michael] Bevan, [Jimmy] Maher and [Martin] Love and [Brad] Hodge.

"There's a lot of good players out there and I think Darren Lehmann deserved his chance."

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.