Steve Waugh today lashed out at Ricky Ponting for opting to rest during the current One-Day Internationals series against New Zealand, saying the decision provoked questions about his commitment.“There's never an easy time for a captain to rest,” said Ponting's predecessor, adding: “In these days.

With so much cricket happening and the players choosing to play Indian Premier League and choosing all these other opportunities, I guess there've got to be question marks thrown up when people say they want to rest because they're committing to playing more cricket and you are playing for your country,” he was quoted as saying by a cricket-specific website.

Ponting, who has not taken a break since Australia's tour of India, has been rested by Cricket Australia so he is not knackered ahead of a trip to South Africa. “It's a tough one to answer and really Ricky's the only one who can answer that.

Is he mentally and physically fatigued? Is he better off having a couple of games off? Will he come back fresher and stronger for the team? They're the questions that people in and around the side have got to answer,” Waugh said.

Waugh felt it would be a gamble to take Andrew Symonds, out of form following his knee surgery, to South Africa where the team will play three Tests immediately after the Chappell-Hadlee Series. Making things worse for Australia, a hamstring injury has put opener Shaun Marsh out of a 13-member Australian squad announced today for the next two one-dayers of the five-match series against New Zealand.

Adam Voges and Callum Ferguson replace Marsh and Ponting for the matches set for Friday and Sunday. Michael Clarke will take over the captaincy in Ponting's absence with Mike Hussey as his deputy.Ponting, in response, said he had wanted to play but selectors didn’t let him.In Hall of Fame-Steve Waugh will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the 2008 Allan Border medal presentation ceremony tomorrow night. n Agencies.