Steve Waugh has reportedly been told by Australian cricket selectors he can hold on to the Test captaincy for as long as he wants.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns told Sydney's The Sunday Telegraph newspaper that Waugh's 102 in Australia's first innings of the fifth Ashes cricket Test at the SCG earned him the right to decide when to walk away from the game.

"If he wishes to continue, it's up to him," Hohns said.

"It was a fabulous innings from one of the all-time great players."

Waugh was dismissed for 102 - his 29th Test ton, equalling Sir Donald Bradman's Australian record.

Waugh, 37, also became only the third player to pass 10,000 Test runs during the innings.

There was intense speculation before his knock that the fifth Test would be his last.

Waugh said he would announce his intentions after the Test.

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