Ponting: Up to eight Aussies could face the chop

Australia

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has predicted that as many as eight members of the current Aussie squad could have there Test careers ended after they lost the Ashes series in England on Saturday.

Ponting thinks the Test journey for Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Chris Rogers are all but over, while bowler Ryan Harris has already retired after being injured earlier on the tour.

While he mentioned some names that he thinks might never wear the Baggy Green again, Ponting feels the Australia selectors will bring in fresh faces after the deafeat to England.

With Michael Clarke already retiring, Steve Smith is the obvious candidate to take over as skipper while opening batsman Rogers has already announced that this tour will be his last in international cricket.

Ponting said: "I had a bit of a think about the squad to plan ahead and think about the future and … I thought there could be eight guys who might not ever play Test cricket again in this touring squad.

"Rogers is retiring. Harris has already retired. You'd think it'd be hard for Haddin to get back in now at his age.

"You could probably say the same things about Watson – is Watson going to get back in at his age? I'd like to think so because I still think he's got some good cricket ahead of him.

"There are a few others – that might do me."

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