Where to now for Aussie heroes?

DAVID WARNER: Looked like he was playing T20 at times during that final innings in Cape Town, so he’s all set to hit the ground running for the three-match series against South Africa, beginning in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. Beyond that, it’s the world T20 tournament in Bangladesh, and then IPL action with his new franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

CHRIS ROGERS: Last seen partying in the wee hours in Cape Town, after telling CATV he had “nothing to be late to in the morning”. Rogers is expected to be named on Saturday for Victoria’s final Bupa Sheffield Shield clash of the summer against Queensland, before returning to the county scene with Middlesex.

ALEX DOOLAN: Can bolster Tassie’s batting stocks for their final Shield clash with South Australia. Faces a long wait until the next Test series (against Pakistan in October) to attempt to cement his position as Australia’s No.3 batsman. Could benefit from a stint in county cricket.

MICHAEL CLARKE: The skipper heads home for a well-deserved break after two highly-scrutinised, pressure-filled Test series on the trot. Will reportedly have scans on a potentially broken thumb upon his return to Australia.

STEVE SMITH: Unlucky to miss out on Australia’s T20 squad for South Africa and Bangladesh (the up-tempo middle-order man seems perfectly suited), Smith comes back to Australia with a hugely enhanced reputation and will look to make his presence felt with New South Wales at the business end of the Shield season. Has also earned himself an IPL gig with Rajasthan Royals.

SHANE WATSON: Only managed one Test in the South Africa series but retains a reputation as one of the world’s most destructive batsmen when he’s on his game, and that’s exactly why he’s staying on to take on the Proteas in the T20s. After that, it’s to Bangladesh, where you can expect him to be a hugely valuable member of coach Darren Lehmann’s set-up, and then IPL action with Rajasthan alongside Smith.

BRAD HADDIN: The Haddin renaissance continues. A rejuvenated star of the Test squad, he’s also back in the T20 fold and will look to add his presence to an already powerful Australian batting order. So for the keeper-batsman, it’s more time in South Africa, then straight to Bangladesh.  

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Apparently this bloke deserves a breather? Fair call, probably. Johnson heads home after eight phenomenal Tests for some much-needed rest, but only for a moment; before he knows it he’ll be on the plane to Bangladesh. Australia’s opener is against Pakistan on March 23 – a little over two weeks away. He’ll then play for King’s Punjab XI in the IPL.

JAMES PATTINSON: Arrives home with plenty of his fellow Test heroes today. Will be satisfied he’s back wearing Baggy Green but has few opportunities with the red ball between now and Australia’s next Test series against Pakistan in October to build on his credentials, and there are plenty of quicks gunning for his place. Likely to be rested for Victoria’s final Shield game.

RYAN HARRIS: At long last, Ryno will go in for the knee surgery he has been repeatedly delaying. A long winter in the gym to build up key leg muscles is the plan for the 34-year-old, who has expressed his desire to be in England for Australia’s defence of the Ashes in 2015.

NATHAN LYON: Not fancied in Australia’s limited-overs sides, Lyon’s gaze will shift to the domestic scene and the challenge of taking New South Wales to a Shield title for the first time since 2007-08. Amazingly however, Australia’s No.1 long-form spinner is no guarantee of a start with the Blues, following Steve O’Keefe’s 11-wicket haul against South Australia this week.

PETER SIDDLE: Will be stinging from being dropped for the deciding Test against South Africa and also looks likely to be rested from state duties after a gruelling summer. Siddle has previously spent Melbourne winters training with AFL club Carlton, and some power work in the gym could be on the agenda, with the trimmed-down right-armer’s pace dropping noticeably recently.

SHAUN MARSH: Marsh scaled career-best heights in South Africa but came back to earth with a shudder just as quickly. It’s been that kind of summer for the 30-year-old, whose form was still good enough to see him stay on with IPL franchise King’s Punjab XI. Marsh’s absence from the World T20 squad highlights the batting power at Lehmann’s disposal for Bangladesh.

MOISES HENRIQUES: The beneficiary of James Faulkner’s injury and Johnson’s heavy workload, Henriques didn’t play in the Test series but will stay on for the T20 series against South Africa. If the Blues make the Shield final, he’ll be back in time for that, and then he joins Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

PHILLIP HUGHES: Has been starved of cricket since heading to South Africa but could well be the ace up South Australia’s sleeve as the Shield really heats up. Has made three hundreds in the competition from just five matches, and will line up for Darren Berry’s side when they take on Tasmania in the final round. Hughes has previously benefited from county stints with Middlesex and Hampshire, and may pursue that avenue again.