BRISBANE, Jan 19: Australian captain Steve Waugh has rejected a claim that he is the “weak link” in the country’s struggling one-day team.

Waugh Saturday shrugged off the views of former Australian Test batsman David Hookes, who said Waugh should be dropped from the one-day team.

Hookes also said Steve Waugh’s twin brother, Mark, should be tossed out of the Test team and used only in one-day matches.

Despite Hookes’ call, Australia’s selectors Saturday night retained both Waughs in a reshuffled team for Sunday’s clash with South Africa here.

Steve Waugh, 37 in June, has not enjoyed his best summer, but he was adamant he still belonged at the elite one-day level despite Hookes’ suggestion that he should play only Tests.

“There’s not much you can say, everyone’s got an opinion. I believe in myself, I know I can do the job here,” Steve Waugh said.

“David Hookes is entitled to his opinion, he’s paid to do that these days. I’ll just be guided by the selectors. If they select me, then I’ll do my best.”

Waugh has stated his desire to play in the next World Cup in South Africa next year and insisted he would keep playing while he enjoyed his cricket.—AFP