Sydney, Apr 14 : Australia's ageing Test stars may not be replaced immediately from the squad, but selectors have made it clear that they must contribute more than runs to command places in a transitional side after the Ashes debacle.

In his first interview after Michael Clarke assumed the captaincy, national talent manager and selector Greg Chappell said Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich knew what they had to do to remain "viable" as the team starts a delicate regeneration process.

"I don't think we have to send any message to them. They are mature cricketers, they know what the landscape is and they can't play forever. As long as they can bring something to the table, not only the runs or wickets, but the input they can have with the group, they are viable, but at some stage they won''t be, that is just a fact of life.

"Nobody can put a time limit on it because nobody knows, you are continually monitoring the situation as a selector and when you feel there is a need for change you make change," Chappell said.

Asked whether the scale of the Ashes defeat suggested a need for transformation, he said: "We've got a new captain. Change isn't just about personnel, it's about attitude and intent and about tactics and I'm sure Michael will bring different thought processes to the captaincy and I think that is a positive thing."

"Regeneration is important and it can come about in different ways and having a change of captaincy brings a different energy to the group. How that plays out we have to wait and see," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Ponting has the benefit of his seven years as captain and the option of moving down the order to give Usman Khawaja a chance to cement the No. 3 position.

The future of Hussey and Katich will be clearer when Cricket Australia announces its 25 contracts, a process delayed by a breakdown in player pay negotiations. (ANI)