The spate of Australian cricket retirements has almost certainly stopped - for the rest of the summer at least.
Mitchell Johnson's exit continued the transition of the national Test side, with the left-armer being the sixth veteran to exit since the Ashes squad arrived in England five months ago.
Ryan Harris broke down and retired before that series started, while Brad Haddin and Shane Watson were usurped by Peter Nevill and Mitch Marsh respectively after the first Test defeat in Cardiff.
Chris Rogers was always quitting after the five-Test series, while Michael Clarke recognised he no longer warranted a place in the XI on form after relinquishing the urn.
Johnson decided to play on but bowed out at the WACA in the second Test against New Zealand.
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It means a void of some 365 Tests worth of experience.
The side that played in Brisbane was the most-inexperienced Test outfit to start a home summer since 1987 - and that included Johnson.
Johnson's retirement leaves Peter Siddle as the most experienced member of the current squad with 57 Tests to his name, while Adam Voges is the oldest at 36.
However, retirement is the last thing on the West Australian batsman's mind.
"I've been playing Test cricket for five minutes so I'm pretty keen to continue for as long as I can," Voges told AAP.
"To see Mitch go out on his own terms was fantastic.
"But it didn't really make me think about when it might be for me. I'm certainly hoping I can go for a bit longer yet."
For good reason too.
Voges' 244 runs at an average of 122 in the current series have been overshadowed by a polished, new-look top order.
However, Voges' calm century in Perth reaffirmed his value to the side.
And while age may have counted against players in the past, the right-hander suggested former state teammates Rogers and Mike Hussey have proved it's no longer the case.
"To see those guys get opportunities late in their careers and perform very well on the back of a very strong domestic career, it's probably given everyone a bit of hope really," he said.
"Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps and do a similar sort of thing.
"Selectors now reward performance and if you are making runs consistently at domestic level, you're every chance of getting an opportunity. That's a really good thing."
Siddle has climbed one rung on the pace pecking order after Johnson's retirement.
The 30-year-old, set to be recalled for the day-night Test starting on Friday in Adelaide, feared his career was over earlier this year.
However, the Victorian starred in the fifth Ashes Test and feels he has plenty to offer the national side for some time.
