Hohns signals end of the ride

The loyalty ride of Australia's brilliant but ageing crop of world champions is slowly ending. In dropping Damien Martyn from the Test side and knocking Matthew Hayden out of the one-day squad Trevor Hohns has rediscovered the ruthlessness that has pock-marked his reign as the selection chairman.

Hohns and his panel spent much of the Ashes tour resisting change, especially from outside the squad, but today they correctly decided to spring clean for next month's Super Series. The decisions to halve the input of Hayden and Martyn, who averaged 61.84 in 17 Tests before his Ashes campaign of 178 runs, and cut Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz from both forms are not of the same magnitude as dumping Steve Waugh from the one-day captaincy in 2002 and refusing Mark Waugh and Ian Healy farewell home Tests. But they have reminded complacent veterans that they could be performing in Pura Cup ghost stadiums or heading for retirement after their next poor series.

It was a symbolic step following a period of harvest that earned Australia numerous trophies, comparisons with the game's greatest teams and a policy of stability. Since Ricky Ponting assumed Steve Waugh's Test captaincy duties in February 2004 Australia have had five debutants with only Michael Clarke appearing in more than two matches. New faces will grow over the next year as Shane Watson and Shaun Tait eye more game time and regular state performers such as Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques and Stuart Clark push to be part of the next generation.

Hohns said Australia will use the Super Series one-dayers to start preparing for the 2007 World Cup, but it is important also to consider searching for and experimenting with players capable of five- and ten-year Test careers. Tait and Watson fit that category and with West Indies arriving for a three-match series in November there is room to trial them for extended periods against opponents less formidable than England. More opportunities will become available with this warning for the mid-30-somethings.

The scope of the initial changes was impressive and it was a relief that Hohns and Co. adopted the view of looking to the horizon. Australia's model of the 2000s has been a great one but its mortality is showing and the next phase of the team's life will benefit from more youthful excitement.