‘Runs hold higher currency than players’ reputation’

Melbourne: Australian selectors are looking to revive the batting order by insisting that runs not players’ reputation will carry weight for inclusion in the national squad.

``Everybody understands where they sit now in the Australian cricket team. In international sport you know if you`re not performing for a short period of time you`re a chance to be left out of the side, and that`s the way it should be,`` a daily quoted veteran Ricky Ponting, as saying. ``I think the selectors are doing a great job at the moment. They`ve brought in some younger, fresher faces, which I think was needed. They`ve had the courage to try some of those guys that might not necessarily have been the best performed players around state cricket as well,” he added. Despite Australia’s dominance in the recently- concluded Test series against India, only Michael Hussey’s position in the squad remains intact in the team, the report said. The report points out that the performances of Peter Forrest and George Bailey have been acknowledged by the selectors. Ponting had no bitter feelings after being dropped from the one-day squad. ``I`ve got no bitterness with what`s happened, I totally understand the reasons why. The national selection panel is looking forward to building a team for the next World Cup. Right at the moment and going forward, I`m not part of their plan, which I understand,`` Ponting said. ANI