Australia captain Steve Waugh will not make a decision on his playing future until after the Ashes series finishes in January.

Australia's chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said on Sunday that the 37-year-old had their backing until the fifth Test against England in Sydney.

I'd like to think that the focus would be on the cricket rather than speculation about myself Steve Waugh

But in a news conference ahead of the fourth Ashes Test against England, Waugh said he still believes he merits a place in the Australia team.

"I've never asked for a guarantee not did I want a guarantee," Waugh told a news conference at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

"I've always played my cricket under the belief that you pick your best 11 players and that's never changed. I think it's wrong to give players guarantees.

"If I'm not one of the 11 then that's fair enough ... I know I am one of the best 11 players."

Waugh angrily responded to persistent questioning about his future in response to growing speculation that the selectors may call time on his career.

He averages only 27 with the bat since the end of the 2001 tour to England, compared to an overall Test average of 49.44.

Steve Waugh factfile

Tests: 154 9,840 runs, average 49.44, 28 100s, 45 50s, 89 wickets, 107 catches Tests as captain: 43 Won 32, lost 6, draws 5

"The next two test matches are about the Australian side playing an Ashes series," Waugh said.

"So I'd like to think that the focus would be on the cricket rather than speculation about myself. I'll make a decision after the Sydney test match."

Waugh's team-mates Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath have backed their captain to come out fighting.

Ponting took over the captaincy of the Australian one-day team when Waugh was dropped from the squad earlier this year and he is favourite to succeed him as Test skipper as well.

It would be great to see him go out on his own terms Glenn McGrath

But McGrath is expecting Waugh to use the games in Melbourne and Sydney to prove he still has what it takes as a player at Test level.

"This is probably the toughest fight of his career but the type of character he is, he'll probably rise to the occasion," McGrath commented.

"Ideally it would be great to see Steve put a big score on the board in Melbourne and do the same in Sydney."

Ponting admits he would like a chance to skipper the Test team, but believes Waugh will keep the job until he is ready to give it up.

"Things are working out pretty well for me in the one-day arena, but Steve is Test captain now and probably will be for as long as he wants to be if he keeps playing well.

"But if that chance did come, it would be nice to do it," he said.

Following the Ashes series, Australia will next play Test cricket in April when they face the West Indies in the Caribbean.