His recent poor run notwithstanding, Australian cricket team's stand-in skipper Ricky Ponting says he is still 'worth a place' in the side but concedes that reputation alone won't be enough to get him the selectors' nod all the time.
"I think I am (worth a place in the team) but you'd better ask the selectors what they think about that," Ponting said.
"My last four games have not been what they would have liked but I guess if the selectors were thinking that way already then they probably wouldn't have picked me for the start of the series.
"There are still a few senior players around the side and they (the selectors) made it clear to the younger guys at the start of the summer that it was vital they have a little bit of experience around them."
Ponting, a former captain who is leading the side again due to injury to regular skipper Michael Clarke, said he was desperate to justify the selectors' faith in him.
Australia lost the ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka with Ponting coming a cropper himself but he has nonetheless been retained for tomorrow's game against India.
{{/usCountry}}Australia lost the ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka with Ponting coming a cropper himself but he has nonetheless been retained for tomorrow's game against India.
{{/usCountry}}"...it's not just reputation that is going to get you picked. You have to score runs, that's what it's all about. I know that as well as anyone," he said.
Speaking on other issues, Ponting gave indications that he endorses an independent commission to run cricket in Australia. He claimed that the Argus review, which shook up cricket at the top level in Australia, has revitalised the national side.