Sydney, Jan 18 : Australian captain Michael Clarke has defended the much-attacked rest and rotation policy of the Australian selectors, saying that the Australian team does not have its former greats and could not afford to retain players without the required level of fitness.

Clarke said that fans and former players like Shane Warne and Brett Lee who have attacked the policy, needed to understand that the situation is not like before when Australia had players like Warne, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, who were automatically included if they were considered semi-fit, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Nowadays, the gap between the players is quite close and if they are not totally fit, then it could create problems for the team, Clarke said, adding that they are trying to bring the team back to its former standards. He, however, agreed that communications on decisions could have been better.

The policy was created by coach Mickey Arthur and selector John Inverarity. (ANI)