5 players who could be playing in their final Ashes series

As another Ashes series fast approaches, so too does the end of some stellar careers; we’ve already seen Ryan Harris pull the plug before the action has even begun. Much has been made of the Australian Test side’s age, cheekily nicknamed “Dad’s Army” by former Aussie fast bowler turned Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie, and there are a few English players who are closer to the end of their careers than the start. With the next Ashes to come in 2017, this upcoming series could well be the final swansong for many players on both sides. Let’s take a look and see who could be playing their final Ashes series.

#1 Brad Haddin

Savour Brad Haddin while he's around – his Test retirement looms

At 37 years old, this will almost certainly be Brad Haddin’s last Ashes series. The tough, reliable wicketkeeper recently announced his retirement from the ODI arena and don’t be surprised to see him make a call on his Test future soon too.

After years of solid service, the Australian cricket team will certainly miss the hard-as-nails keeper from Canberra, but with Peter Nevill, Matthew Wade and Sam Whiteman showing impressive promise with the gloves at domestic level, Australia will be in good hands (literally!) when Haddin retires.

#2 Shane Watson

Watson’s recent form, age and injury troubles will more than likely make this Ashes his last

Unfortunately for the big all-rounder, Watson will be 36 by the time the next Ashes rolls around, and given his struggle to hold his place in the team due to the emergence of Mitchell Marsh, indifferent form and injury woes, it’s hard to see Watto strapping on the pads for one last hurrah against The Old Enemy after this series.

While he might continue to play at ODI level, expect a call from either the selectors or Watson himself on his Test future soon.

#3 James Anderson

Anderson holds his future in his own hands

At almost 34 years of age, Anderson may struggle to continue on to the 2017 Ashes series. With England’s fast bowling stocks looking as healthy as they have for a long time with Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood and Mark Footitt showing immense potential, England’s highest wicket taker won’t be forced into playing another Ashes, although with his unpeered record, it is Anderson who will have the final say on when he hangs up the bowling boots.

However, with the strain that fast bowling takes on the body, at Anderson’s weary age one might think that the 2017 Ashes series may be a bridge too far.

#4 Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson may be ready to retire in the near future

England may not have to worry about facing up to the fearsome pace of Mitchell Johnson in Test cricket again after this series, as the left armer has previously indicated that the finish line of what will be an illustrious career may be sooner than we think.

With Australia’s fast bowling stocks booming and as Johnson has many other interests outside of cricket including fashion, tennis and blogging, as well as having a young family to raise, it’s difficult to picture Johnson wanting to play on well into his 30s, especially as he has already achieved everything there is to attain in the game.

#5 Chris Rogers

This upcoming Ashes series will be Chris Rogers’ swansong

If anything, it’s more surprising that Chris Rogers has been able to play on at the highest level for so long rather than the announcement of the 2015 Ashes being his final Test series – a true testament to the fighting spirit of the pint-sized left-hander.

Despite his impending retirement, the reliable 37-year-old has shown in the lead up matches that he is still capable of scoring heavily, so don’t expect Rogers to slow up his spree of run scoring against the Poms.