Lack of transition leaves Australia reliant on ageing Ashes team

SYDNEY :Australia are favourites to retain the Ashes over the next two months but anything short of their usual dominance over England on home soil is sure to reignite the debate over the pace of transition to a younger generation. 

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are all in their mid to late 30s and form the core of the team bidding to keep hold of the urn for another 18 months.

It would be a surprise, however, if all seven were still around when Australia tour South Africa next September, let alone when the Ashes rivalry resumes in England in 2027.

That so many have reached such an advanced stage of their careers without obvious replacements is certainly a reflection of their quality, but will be a matter of concern in the case of more injuries during the series. 

"No doubt, (the selectors) are conscious they have half a dozen or so guys coming pretty close to the end of their careers," former captain Greg Chappell said.

"It's a matter of having the replacements available, that's the difficult part of it."

Another former captain, Steve Waugh, launched a shot at George Bailey in the run-up to the Ashes, accusing the head selector of failing to take tough decisions and allowing senior players to pick the side. 

"You just want to make sure that three or four players don't go out at the same time. That leaves a big hole in the team," he said. 

"So they've got to just make sure that it is a transition, but not all at once."

CUMMINS AND HAZLEWOOD INJURED

Australia's fast bowling stocks will definitely be tested in the series opener with skipper Cummins and Hazlewood - both members of the triumvirate that has kept Australia near the top of the test world rankings for