Fittler: Tough act to follow

"It's just an honour to be mentioned with those three other players. If it happens, it happens, that would be fantastic.

"But if not, then I would still be honoured just to be part of a great team."

Brisbane's Tallis was widely regarded as Fittler's heir-apparent, but a neck injury ruled him out of the Ashes tour.

His absence handed Barrett, Johns and Lockyer an opportunity to impress during the current three-Test series.

But whoever is appointed as Fittler's successor has a hard act to follow.

The Sydney Roosters star, who reconsidered his decision to tour after initially calling for its cancellation, has won 17 of the 20 matches in which he has captained his country.

Fairytale ending

"I have had a ball the last 10 or 12 years," said Fittler.

"It's a good way to finish. This is a good team and there's a lot of good young kids coming through."

And the loose forward is hoping to end his third and final tour of Great Britain with a victory that would keep the Ashes down under for another four years.

"Pretty much my whole career has built up to this and I'm looking for a really big game," said the 29-year-old.

"But fairytales don't just happen, you've got to work hard for them."