Ricky Ponting says there are four obvious candidates to replace him.

In the aftermath of Australia's series loss to South Africa and Ricky Ponting's final Test match, the Tasmanian says there are four obvious candidates to replace him.

Ponting believes Quiney, Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja deserve to be leading the pack, but also gives fellow Tasmanian Alex Doolan a hope.

But Ponting refused to give his opinion on who should get the nod, conceding there's an argument to be made for all four.
Hughes, Quiney and Khawaja have all had a taste at Test level, but have failed to take their opportunity.

Hughes shapes as the favourite given he already has three Test hundreds to his name and is the leading run-scorer in Sheffield Shield this season for South Australia.
However, Ponting said Khawaja is in the form of his life after moving to Queensland and argued Quiney might be foremost in selectors' minds because he played Tests one and two against South Africa.
''Rob Quiney didn't perform the way he would have liked, but he was first choice batsman going into Brisbane,'' Ponting said.
''I know Hughes and Khawaja are out there scoring runs nearly every game they play now.

''It's really good to see those guys putting their hand up for selection.
''Maybe Alex Doolan for the big hundred he scored against South Africa (for Australia A).
''Whichever way they go you can guarantee they'll have a good replacement for me.''
However Warne feels Victoria batsman Quiney deserves to replace Ponting despite the miserable start to his Test career.

Quiney managed just nine runs in three innings in the first two Tests against South Africa, before being dropped when Shane Watson returned from injury for the Perth decider.
Quiney's failures have seemingly left Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja as the top candidates to replace Ponting - who played his final Test innings on Monday - when Australia begin their next Test series against Sri Lanka, starting in Hobart on December 14.
But Warne said Quiney remained the best long-term option at No.3 as Australia look towards trying to regain the Ashes next year.
He said Quiney should not be overlooked based on two Tests against the world No.1 team.

''He's been the best player for a period of time now,'' Warne told reporters in Melbourne.
''Yes, he didn't do that well and he had three hits in two Tests, got a pair, didn't play that well.
''But it's a great time to get Bobby in now for the next series.
''You've got to start looking ahead and say these guys we bring in, who's going to play pretty well in India? Who's going to play well in England against the swinging and seaming ball?

''Bobby Quiney's got the best technique out of any of the candidates bar none ... I'm pretty confident Bobby will be there for at least four or five years if he gets a good run at it.''
Australia tour India for a four-Test series in February-March then head to England for the Ashes series in July.
Warne said the bowling attack also needed work, given the way they were belted around by South Africa in the second innings in Perth.
''The conditions, okay it was a bit flat, but I think Michael Clarke had no chance to set a field when guys are bowling knee-high full tosses, wide, straight, full, short,'' Warne said.


''... I felt like jumping off the couch, flying to Perth and grabbing the ball.''