SYDNEY: Steve Waugh on Friday hit back at Shane Warne after he reignited a long-running feud between two of Australia’s greatest players, saying he was doing his job as captain when he dropped the leg-spinner in 1999.

Earlier this week, Warne blasted his former team-mate and skipper as “the most selfish cricketer I’ve played with”, still holding a grudge after Waugh axed him for the final Test on a tour of the West Indies 17 years ago, a game Australia won.

It sparked a backlash against Warne on social media with Waugh issuing a short statement the following day that said: “I’m not justifying his comments with an answer.”

But he opened up on Friday, explaining the decision to drop Warne was tough but part of his job as Australian captain.

“To be fair, not only Shane, any player I had to tell was dropped wasn’t easy,” he said. “It wasn’t easy telling Adam Dale he was dropped for a Test or Blewett. There were a num­ber of players I had to tell they weren’t playing, Andy Bichel.

“As a captain that is the hardest thing to do. But it’s also why you’re captain, because people expect you to make the tough decisions for the benefit of the team.

“You have got to do that at times and you have got to be prepared not to be liked by everyone.”

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2016