When Ricky Ponting made his Test debut in 1995, he entered a team boasting a glut of established stars.

Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor, Michael Slater and David Boon were the key cogs in a strong batting line-up, while Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne were starting to make big impressions in a bowling attack led by veteran Craig McDermott.

But as Ponting exits the game at the end of the third Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground, he will be leaving a team in a state of flux.

Over the past 12 months, skipper Michael Clarke has established himself as an out-and-out star.

Mike Hussey continues to produce the goods despite being in the twilight of his career.

And paceman Peter Siddle is a workhorse who is now the spiritual leader in the bowling attack.

But that’s where the stability ends.

All-rounder Shane Watson is one of the best players in the world when fully fit and firing.

But the problem is he rarely stays fit for long, and has become a series-by-series proposition in recent times.

Master blaster David Warner is brilliant to watch in full flight. But whether he has the temperament required to forge a long Test career remains a big question.

Fellow opener Ed Cowan is a scrapper who won’t shy away from a fight. But one poor series could be enough to see the 30-year-old dropped from the side.

Matthew Wade’s counter-attacking 68 in Australia’s first-innings demise against South Africa at the WACA Ground showcased his determination.

But with Tasmanian wicketkeeper Tim Paine finally injury-free, and Brad Haddin scoring a pile of runs in domestic ranks, Wade will need to fight tooth and nail to hold his spot in the Australian set-up.

Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and Rob Quiney head the queue to replace Ponting, but all failed when given their chance to cement their spot in the past.

Then there’s the bowling attack.

James Pattinson and Pat Cummins have the potential to become future stars. But the rate at which their bodies keep breaking down is a major worry.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson is back in the Test fold, but is no certainty to hold his spot long-term.

Tasmanian quick Ben Hilfenhaus needs to tweak his bowling action yet again after a quiet start to the series against South Africa, and left-armer Mitchell Starc needs more time to mature as a player.

As is stands, there are more questions than answers surrounding the make-up of Australia’s best team.

That could spell trouble heading into back-to-back Ashes series next year.