Steve Waugh's surprising decision to enforce the follow-on on day three of the third Test against Pakistan effectively closed the door on the chance of his brother Mark getting another Test innings before the Ashes. Dean Jones once called the Waugh twins "the koalas" because he thought they were a protected species. However spiteful or envious that comment was, there is no doubt that the Australian selectors would rather have their minds made up over the Waughs than face an awkward and potentially divisive decision ahead of such a high-profile series.

The growing pressure on Steve's position in the team - as a batsman at least - was removed in one typically gutsy and bloody-minded display on the second day. He is rarely a pretty batsman but after scratching around early on, he batted fluently. He was stretching forward to Saqlain Mushtaq, playing round his front pad. Most of his early runs came from behind square leg. Then, on 11, he swept Saqlain for four. Two balls later, he drove him through the covers off the back foot. That shot seemed to signify that the confidence had returned.

From then on, he played with much more freedom. Saqlain came off not long afterwards, which must have suited Waugh just fine. Back came the seamers and back came Waugh's familiar bottom-handed scythes through point and cover. So one Waugh is saved but what of Junior?

Mark made 23 in the first innings and looked in decent enough nick for it to be a surprise when he inside-edged Saqlain to the keeper. Steve indicated on the second evening that the odds on him enforcing the follow-on were slim after the debacle at Kolkata last year when they lost to India after making them follow on. Ultimately, he probably fancied an early flight home and did not believe that there was any chance of Pakistan scoring enough runs to trouble Australia even if they did have to bat again.

There is no sentiment in Australian cricket so Mark Waugh will just have to take his chance like everyone else. The early domestic skirmishes when the players return home might just have a bearing on the selection for the first Test.

Darren Lehmann, who has been sent home early to prepare himself for the task ahead, has worked as hard as any of the other players during this series. In the extreme heat, he has been a 12th man and a half - always sprinting out with drinks, towels, ice jackets or whatever was needed to keep his mates comfortable. He is raring to go should a place come up.

The likelihood at this stage is that the selectors will stick with Mark, but it will be touch and go. Alec Stewart says Australia are stronger with the Waughs. That's true only if they are performing. Mark averages under 30 in 2002 and Steve should still be vulnerable early in his innings despite his hundred in Sharjah. England need to keep the Waugh debate raging when battle commences in Brisbane.

John Stern is deputy editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly.

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