Glenn McGrath believes Australia have coped well with loss of key players and will continue to improve even after Mike Hussey leaves the park.
With Hussey about to retire from international cricket and Ricky Ponting already gone, Australia are in a rebuilding phase.
But McGrath, arguably Australia's best-ever paceman, expects the younger players to step up.
"With two Ashes series back-to-back it's going to be a big summer, but I think they're playing well and they've got a good team," McGrath said on Wednesday.
"Experience is something that is very important and they say you can't buy it on a shelf, nor should you be able to.
"It's an opportunity for young guys coming through, but I think Michael Clarke has done a great job as captain and he'll still lead the team.
"There's enough younger guys that have that experience coming through now and it's time for them to step up and be the senior players."
The New Year's Test against Sri Lanka will be Hussey's last and McGrath expects the 37-year-old to bow out on a high note.
"Your last Test match is always incredible," McGrath said.
"I'm looking forward to him getting another hundred, so hopefully I don't put the mocker on him.
"He's been incredible for the game and probably one of the last old boys to hang the boots up.
"It's only really Michael Clarke and Shane Watson that I played with still in the team."
McGrath is promoting the fifth consecutive McGrath Foundation Pink Test at the SCG and says he has to 'pinch himself' that the breast cancer foundation has raised more than $3.5 million since first linking with the Sydney Test five years ago.
First Posted 02 January, 2013 1:28PM AEST
