Can Australia Maintain Their Test Dominance After the Retirement of Their Core Stars?

Winners of the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship and a dominant force in Test cricket, the Australian team has long been a powerhouse due to its talented players. Stars like Steven Smith (35y 345d), Pat Cummins (32y 5d), Josh Hazlewood (34y 125d), Travis Head (31y 135d), and Mitchell Starc (35y 103d) have kept Australia competitive. However, their loss in the 2025 WTC Final to South Africa signals challenges in the Test format, with many players nearing the end of their careers, hinting at a looming transition period. The batting lineup features veterans like Usman Khawaja (38y 146d), the oldest in the squad, alongside Smith and Head.

Player Name	Role	Age
Nathan Lyon	Bowler	37y 218d
Alex Carey	Wicket-keeper Batter	33y 259d
Travis Head	Top order Batter	31y 135d
Josh Inglis	Wicket-keeper Batter	30y 70d
Usman Khawaja	Top order Batter	38y 146d
Sam Konstas	Top order Batter	19y 223d
Marnus Labuschagne	Batter	30y 325d
Steven Smith	Top order Batter	36y 24d
Sean Abbott	Bowling Allrounder	33y 74d
Cameron Green	Batting Allrounder	25y 344d
Beau Webster	Allrounder	31y 163d
Pat Cummins (c)	Bowler (Captain)	32y 5d
Scott Boland	Bowler	36y 32d
Josh Hazlewood	Bowler	34y 125d
Matthew Kuhnemann	Bowler	28y 235d
Mitchell Starc	Bowler	35y 103d

Khawaja and Smith, both top-order batters, have been pillars, but their age suggests limited time remains. Marnus Labuschagne (30y 325d) and Head provide stability, but the team lacks younger batters beyond Sam Konstas (19y 223d), who is yet to cement his place. Alex Carey (33y 259d) and Josh Inglis (30y 70d), both wicketkeeper-batters, add depth but are also in their 30s, raising concerns about future replacements.

The bowling unit, led by Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc, is ageing. Cummins, the captain, and Starc, with Scott Boland (36y 32d), form a formidable pace attack, but their longevity is uncertain. Matthew Kuhnemann (28y 235d) is a younger spinner, but spin options are thin. All-rounders Cameron Green (25y 344d), Beau Webster (31y 163d), and Sean Abbott (33y 74d) offer balance, with Green being a bright prospect. With most players over 30, Australia faces a transition period. Let’s see which stars could be having their last cycle of WTC this time.

Steve Smith

One of the greatest Test batsmen, Steve Smith has been Australia’s backbone in the Test format, driving their dominance over recent years. With 10,350 runs in 117 Tests and 208 innings, Smith boasts an impressive average of 56.55. His highest score of 239 and 36 centuries, alongside 42 fifties, showcase his consistency and ability to anchor innings. Scoring at a strike rate of 53.59, he has faced 19,313 balls, hitting 1,127 fours and 61 sixes, while also taking 200 catches.

Matches	Innings	Not Outs	Runs	High Score	Average	Balls Faced	Strike Rate	100s	50s	Fours	Sixes	Catches
117	208	25	10,350	239	56.55	19,313	53.59	36	42	1,127	61	200

His technical brilliance and unorthodox style have dismantled bowling attacks, making him a key reason for Australia’s success, including their 2021-2023 World Test Championship (WTC) triumph. At 36 years and 24 days, Smith is nearing the end of his career, likely retiring after the 2025-2027 WTC cycle. He faces a significant opportunity in the upcoming Test series in India, a challenge he has yet to conquer.

A series win there would be a career highlight, boosting his legacy. Additionally, Smith aims to lead Australia to the 2027 WTC Final, hoping to end his career on a high by securing another title. His ability to perform under pressure, evident in his 10,350 runs and 36 centuries, makes him crucial to Australia’s plans.

Nathan Lyon

The spinner who knows how to pick wickets in tough conditions, Nathan Lyon has been Australia’s number one spinner, forming the heart of their bowling attack alongside their potent pace trio. In 137 Test matches, Lyon has bowled 34,307 balls across 255 innings, claiming 553 wickets at an average of 4.8. 30.33. His best innings figures of 8/50 and match haul of 13/154 highlight his ability to dominate, with 24 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket matches.

Matches	Innings	Not Outs	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Balls Faced	Strike Rate	100s	50s	Fours	Sixes	Catches
137	173	47	1,597	47	12.67	3,127	51.07	0	0	201	14	63

With an economy of 2.93 and a strike rate of 62.0, he has been a consistent threat, taking 26 four-wicket hauls. As a lower-order batsman, Lyon scored 1,597 runs in 173 innings, with a highest score of 47, averaging 12.67 and a strike rate of 51.07, hitting 201 fours and 14 sixes, while also taking 63 catches.

Lyon’s crafty off-spin has been vital to Australia’s Test success, including the 2021-2023 World Test Championship victory, complementing their pace attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. However, at 37 years and 218 days, his performance has dipped. In the 2025 WTC Final against South Africa, Lyon struggled to make an impact, reflecting a decline in form. This 2025-2027 WTC cycle may be his last, as age catches up.

Mitchell Starc

Leading the Australian pace attack, Mitchell Starc has been a lethal weapon in Test cricket, with his early wickets often setting the tone for Australia’s dominance. In 97 Tests, Starc has bowled 18,701 balls across 186 innings, taking 387 wickets at an average of 27.49. His best figures of 6/48 and match haul of 11/94, along with 15 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket matches, showcase his ability to dismantle batting lineups and with an economy of 3.41 and a strike rate of 48.3, he has claimed 20 four-wicket hauls, proving his consistency.

Matches	Innings	Balls	Runs Conceded	Wickets	Best Innings (BBI)	Best Match (BBM)	Average	Economy	Strike Rate	4W	5W	10W
97	186	18,701	10,641	387	6/48	11/94	27.49	3.41	48.3	20	15	2

As a lower-order batsman, Starc scored 2,276 runs in 141 innings, averaging 20.50 with a high score of 99. His strike rate of 59.31 includes 226 fours and 49 sixes, and he has taken 44 catches. At 35 years and 147 days, Starc may be playing his final World Test Championship (WTC) cycle of 2025-2027.

His age has raised concerns, as his pace and effectiveness have shown signs of decline, particularly after a subdued performance in the 2025 WTC Final against South Africa. Australia, having relied on Starc’s fiery left-arm pace to break open games, is now seeking a replacement to fill his role in the Test format.

Scott Boland

Being the unluckiest bowler who often plays only when one of Australia’s big three quicks, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, or Josh Hazlewood is unavailable, Scott Boland has proven himself as a crisis man in Test cricket. At 36 years and 76 days, Boland has made a significant impact in his limited opportunities, taking 56 wickets in 13 Tests across 25 innings.

Matches	Innings	Balls	Runs Given	Wickets	Best Innings (BBI)	Best Match (BBM)	Average	Economy	Strike Rate	4W	5W	10W
13	25	2,141	989	56	6/7	10/76	17.66	2.77	38.2	2	2	1

Bowling 2,141 balls, he maintains an impressive average of 17.66, with an economy rate of 2.77 and a strike rate of 38.2. His best figures of 6/7 and match haul of 10/76, along with two five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match, highlight his ability to deliver in crucial moments. Boland’s two four-wicket hauls further show his consistency.

Boland’s disciplined line and length bowling, targeting the same spot relentlessly, has been key to his success. He often claims big wickets, breaking partnerships and turning games when Australia needs him most and his ability to exploit conditions with precision makes him a reliable stand-in, despite not being a regular starter.

Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja, Australia’s steady Test opener, has been a key player, especially in Asia, where his calm batting anchors the team. In 81 Tests and 146 innings, he has scored 5,936 runs at an average of 44.96. His top score of 232, along with 16 centuries and 27 fifties, came from 12,161 balls at a strike rate of 48.81, with 635 fours and 27 sixes.

Matches	Innings	Not Outs	Runs	High Score	Average	Balls Faced	Strike Rate	100s	50s	Fours	Sixes	Catches
81	146	14	5936	232	44.96	12161	48.81	16	27	635	27	63

Khawaja’s 63 catches show his fielding reliability and his patient style on tough Asian pitches has been vital for Australia’s 2021-2023 World Test Championship success, allowing others to attack while he holds the innings together. Now 38 years and 190 days old, Khawaja is likely in his last World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027).

His age means Australia may soon turn to younger players like Sam Konstas, aged 19 years and 267 days, who plays with aggression to rattle opponents. Konstas’s bold approach differs from Khawaja’s steady game, hinting at a new direction for Australia’s openers. Despite a weaker performance in the 2025 WTC Final loss to South Africa, Khawaja’s 5,936 runs and 16 centuries highlight his value as he nears retirement.