As Steve Waugh's farewell tour begins, Zimbabwe has vowed not to be distracted by a racism row that threatens to make Thursday's first cricket Test against Australia at the WACA Ground even tougher.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said the task confronting the Test minnows was big enough without being sidetracked by former teammate Murray Goodwin's claims team selection was not always been based on merit.

Goodwin, who quit international cricket three years ago, this week claimed Zimbabwe's black cricketers were getting a "free ride" into the Test team on political grounds.

But Streak said there was no pressure on selectors to include black players and that his side could not afford to get caught up in another political issue as it takes on cricket's world champion.

"We can't let external issues cloud our thoughts and our goals that we've set ourselves for this season," Streak said.

Ahead of his 163rd Test, Waugh gave another strong indication this would be his farewell Test tour of Australia.

"It's like Cold Chisel, isn't it?," he said.

"I'm pretty relaxed about it, I'm trying to enjoy my cricket now and I think I did that last year, it's pretty relaxed.

"This will be a good chance it will be my last Test in Perth.

"I'm 38, I've got to be realistic about it, and if it is I'll just try and enjoy every minute of it."

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