The Aussies go into the series on the back of a 3-0 thrashing of Pakistan but Waugh has ruled out any complacency within the ranks.

"We are here to play for Australia and there are so many good players out here you can't afford to relax or think your place is guaranteed or take things for granted," Waugh said.

"Complacency and over confidence are not part of this side."

Waugh himself was close to becoming a victim of the intense competition for places before a final Test century against Pakistan in Sharjah eased the pressure on him.

Before that typically resolute knock, the 37-year-old was starting to come under fire after a string of poor scores.

Waugh became Australia Test captain in February 1999, succeeding Mark Taylor, and says the same values he instilled in his team at the time still hold true today.

"I think we talked about complacency when I took over and then we said we'd never talk about it again," he said.

"There's no way we are going to have three or four blokes out there just going through the motions. They are there to try and achieve something.

"What we do is to play to the best of our ability and our potential. We go out to play as well as we can every ball. If that becomes cynical or crushing then that's great.

"But if we don't do that we are letting ourselves down and letting down guys who aren't in the side."