PHIL Jaques' hopes of an Australian Test call-up could be set for a major boost.

The Worcestershire opening batsman has been waiting in the wings for some time and his form suggested he might be in line for an Ashes place.

It was not to be, however, but it now seems that Justin Langer could be the next Australian veteran to pull up stumps on his international career if speculation regarding his future is true.

With Langer set to play in his 105th Test match against England at the SCG starting tomorrow, there are murmurs that the left-handed opening batsman will follow Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath into retirement.

Speaking to the Sunday Age, Langer's father, Colin, said that his son was not going to hang on for the sake of hanging on'.

"To see what he's done to try to get fit for this (Ashes) series, it's just been unbelievable, the physical effort, the time he spends with his batting coach," said the senior Langer. "People don't see all that, but we do. He's worked hard with the ability he had. He's had to work so hard to get where he is."

Langer, who indicated immediately after Australia regained the Ashes in Perth that if that had to be his last match it would be fine with him, has also previously revealed he would announce his retirement after his final match, and not beforehand.

The Western Australian has scored 7,650 runs at 45.26 and has made 257 runs in the current Ashes series.

His 100th Test, played against South Africa in Johannesburg, will be remembered for Makhaya Ntini crashing a bouncer into his head which forced his withdrawal from the tour of Bangladesh.

It is believed he was almost ready to quit after the South African tour, but the motivation of regaining the Ashes for Australia proved too much.