Steve Waugh is a tough and uncompromising cricketer – and he believes his side are in the same mould.

You don't win 16 Test Matches in a row by being soft on the opposition and, though the Australians enter the Ashes series following back-to-back defeats in India, Waugh's resolve remains as steely as ever.

He aims to hold the Ashes for a record seventh consecutive time and improve as a side while doing so.

"I like the side to play their cricket the way I like to play," said Waugh. "Tough, hard and giving 100% every time to make the most of your ability.

"Whilst we did lose in India, we got a lot out of that series. We got to know each other better and the one thing we did learn is that you can't take winning for granted.

"After 16 winning Test Matches in a row some of the celebrations were not as vocal or as energetic as they should have been.

"I don't think we had anything to prove before that series. That's not the attitude we go out with. We just go out with the attitude to make the best of our ability and best of our talent and to give it our best shot.

"On this tour we just want to try and enjoy ourselves, improve as a side and continue to win. It's not always possible but I don't think we have anything to prove."

At 36, Waugh is the only member of the touring party to have lost an Ashes series and that taste of defeat was brought back to him in India. But, he insists, he has no regrets about the Indian defeat.

"I've been over it a few times but it's nothing I can change now," he said.

"I probably won't get the chance to play against India in India again so it (winning there) will be something the other guys can hopefully achieve when I finish."

This Australian team certainly mirrors Waugh's ideals of how cricket should be played, displaying a delight in mercilessly crushing opponents.

"As captain I have got to know the guys pretty well, I'm relaxed out there now and it's taken a while," he said. "The team seems to function well and it obviously makes it a lot easier when you are winning.

"We have a good relationship, I trust them and I think they trust me.

"When I first played for Australia I don't think I realised what it was all about, the responsibility and what a great honour it was.

"The positive aspect of the first few years was that I learnt from those experiences and it actually made me a lot tougher than it might have if it had come easily.

"I guess being captain for the first time in an Ashes series is a pretty big moment in my career. It's a great honour. We will be judged on our results and I will be judged as captain.

"But I really enjoy the role, it's a great challenge and it's great to see the players really improve and develop their game.

"I have always liked playing here, it's my favourite place to play cricket outside of Australia and I will savour every moment of this trip because it might be my last," added Waugh, who has pencilled in the World Cup of 2003 for his international retirement.

Waugh is not putting much store by Australia's heavy defeats of England in the one-day NatWest Series although, typical of the man, he has made mental notes of various weaknesses which became apparent among his opponents.

"There are going to be plenty of changes to that side so we probably shouldn't read too much into it," he said.

"I think we learned a lot about (Marcus) Trescothick and perhaps to a lesser extent (Michael) Vaughan. We picked up some good hints.

"We have always rated Thorpe as a very good player and I think he's gone that extra step from being a very good player to a great player for England. He will probably be the danger batsman.

"Mike Atherton has had a good 18 months but Glenn McGrath has always done well against him and has got good memories there. He will be under pressure in the first two Tests.

"We have a few tricks up our sleeve and we think we know where we have to bowl at their batsman."

England – you have been warned.

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