Waugh fit for SA tour

Steve Waugh was forced to retire hurt against NZ

Steve Waugh has been given the all-clear to lead Australian on their brief tour of South Africa later this month.

The Australian captain was forced to retire hurt during the third and final Test against new Zealand on Monday, after being struck on the left wrist while batting.

I think we're on the verge of something special. I believe this is only the beginning'

Steve Waugh

Waugh had X-rays on his injured wrist before returning to Australia but was found to have suffered no broken bones.

He later confirmed he would lead the Australians in the one-day series in South Africa starting on 12 April.

Australia won the third and final Test by six wickets on Monday to complete a 3-0 series clean sweep.

West Indies stand between Australia and a record number of consecutive Test wins

That victory extended their winning streak in tests to 10 matches, just one shy of the world record of 11 set by the West Indies in the mid-1980s.

Australia are scheduled to play South Africa this year in six one-day matches, three in Africa this month and three in Australia in August.

But they will have to wait until they host the West Indies in a five-Test series later this year to attempt to break the Test-win record.

Waugh, whose 12 wins from 17 matches as captain is the best rate of any skipper in the game's history, said he was already relishing the challenge.

"I think we're on the verge of something special. I believe this is only the beginning - we can play better than that," he said.

"We are going to be fired up and and you're going to see us play some exciting cricket. We're going to be playing to win."