Australia urged to replace ageing squad before Ashes tournament

Melbourne: Former Australian pace bowler Geoff Lawson said it was time for the national selectors to inject fresh blood in the ageing cricket team to prepare for the Ashes next year.

Lawson said the Australian selectors should try out few options in the home and away series against South Africa.

"With South Africa coming up, now is the time to make changes," Lawson was quoted as saying by the Courier Mail yesterday.

"You can get some younger blokes in for a home-and-away series against them.

"They are a very tough side so they will be a good test to see how some new faces go," said Lawson, who was recently sacked as Pakistan's coach.

Lawson believes the likes of Chris Rogers and Peter Siddle should have their Test potential tested against the Proteas, who play three Tests here before hosting a return series in February.

After 13 years of world dominance, there are signs Australia's ageing side is in need of regeneration.

Australia's loss in the Test series in India showed the vulnerability of the once-invincible side.

The squad has eight players over 30 - Hayden (37), Ponting (33), Stuart Clark (33), Michael Hussey (33), Simon Katich (33), Andrew Symonds (33), Brett Lee (32) and Brad Haddin (31).

"I think a couple of players in the (Test) side are past their peak," Lawson said.