Who is retiring after The Ashes? Australian cricket's looming changing of the guard – sportingnews.com

Tom Naghten
Ahead of this summer’s blockbuster Ashes series, question marks linger over the futures of a host of Australian players.
With the majority of the Aussie Test team over 30, a significant overhaul looms on the horizon.
We take a look at which players could be finishing up after The Ashes:
MORE: Will Pat Cummins play in The Ashes?
As yet, no Aussies have confirmed their impending retirements from Test matches, though several will have begun to question when the time is right to wind things up.
The classy left-handed opener, who will turn 39 in December, has yet to make a call on his future.
No Australian batsman since Bob Simpson in 1977 has played beyond the age of 39, but Khawaja’s form over the past few years has warranted his playing on.
A lean series would almost certainly mean the end of Khawaja at Test level, but if he’s scoring runs, expect him to keep on keeping on.
The mercurial batsman called time on his ODI career earlier this year, remaining in contention for Test and T20I cricket.
Smith is 36 but still looks to be more than capable of making big scores against international opposition.
After The Ashes series, Australia’s next Test match action is away to South Africa late in 2026, before four and five-Test series at home against New Zealand and India next summer.
After that, an away Ashes series awaits in 2027.
Smith has previously discussed his intention to play at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, but will he still be playing the longest format by then?
The left-arm quick pulled the pin on his T20I career earlier this year in an effort to prolong his involvement in the longer forms.
He’s proven to be remarkably durable for a pace bowler, but, turning 36 in January, he’s certainly closer to the end than he is the start.
Starc has already outlined his plans to feature in the tours to India and England in 2027.
Another member of the pace-bowling battery, “Hoff” will be 35 by the time The Ashes wraps up.
He’s previously spoken about his future, and that of his fast-bowling teammates.
“I don’t think we’re in a position now to say anything, but I think you might sit back at the end [of The Ashes] and have a think about it,” Hazlewood said on SEN.
“I think everyone still loves the format of Test cricket. There’s plenty of Tests coming up in the next two years. There’s another cycle of the World Test Championship so there’s a lot of things still exciting about Test Cricket, not just the Ashes. I think we’ve still got a few more games left in us yet.”
At 38, the off-spinner is the second-oldest member of the Test set up behind Khawaja.
Upon handing over the songmaster duties to Alex Carey, “Garry” was asked if it signalled his intent to retire soon, but the prolific wicket-taker denied he’s thinking about finishing up.
“This definitely doesn’t mean I’m retiring anytime soon,” Lyon said.
“There’s no talk about me retiring or even thoughts coming in my head.
With Pat Cummins potentially sidelined for the early part of The Ashes, the Victorian looks like having an increased role in the series.
Boland had to wait until he was 32 to make his Test debut and, four years later, he’s not about to give up any more chances to wear the Baggy Green.
Regardless, the clock is certainly ticking on ScoBo’s international career.
Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he’s been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat’s goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.

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