Retirement exodus? Cummins makes call on ageing Aussie team

As this era of Australian cricket reaches its closing stages of prosperity, there has always been an underlying fear of a mass exodus from its most experienced players.

Pat Cummins chatted with SEN Cricket's Bharat Sundaresan about the important topic, as the Australian Test team is set for a jam-packed nine months of cricket.

Sundaresan asked the Aussie captain whether the dressing room could look different at the conclusion of the summer, if it is the last for a few.

“I mean, yes, but we also feel like we've been saying that for about five years now, so I mean, hopefully it won't be that sudden,” he said.

“I think you'll see some attrition just with the bowlers, you know, things pop up, and I think you're already starting to see guys … getting quite young.

“Cooper Connolly's is one on this next South African tour; you're starting to see the younger guys being in and around the squad a bit more.”

The spearheaded four-pronged attack of Cummins (33), Mitchell Starc (36), Josh Hazelwood (35) and Scott Boland (37) was always at one time or another, was going to need a complement of youth.

Similar conversations are only a matter of time when it comes to off-spinner Nathan Lyon as Australia must look towards its potential next tenured spinner.

Sundaresan's suggestions in conversation with Cummins support that notion; as the age profile of Australian Test cricket will inevitably decrease, but an importance should be placed on the staggering of retirements or departures from the side to ease the transition.

“It might all happen within a year or two, hopefully it's not all in a Sydney Test or something like that,” Cummins said.

“I think the reality is those guys are all potential greats at the games who can probably go out on their own terms, they're not going to be pushed out the door.

“They're all playing as good as they ever have, Starcy's (Mitchell Starc) unbelievable, Smithy's (Steve Smith) is in great form.

“Look, I hope not, but the reality is we know there's going to be other people that step up and we'll need to fill those shoes.”

Household names that are often thrown into the conversation of younger quicks include Fergus O’Neill (25), Xavier Bartlett (27) and Lance Morris (28).

Looking even further into youth, Callum Vidler (20) and Mahli Beardman (20) both can bowl more than 145km per hour, but are much rawer prospects compared to others within the picture.

Although there is a talented bowling crop on the sidelines, the current quartet’s performances are still standing up.

But ultimately an emphasis will undoubtedly be placed on the supplementation of younger talent within the highest level of Australian cricket.

You can listen to the upcoming tour of South Africa LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.