Sydney, Jan 2 : Legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath has claimed Australia's younger players are good enough to replace outgoing veterans like Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, adding the nation is better equipped to handle their cricketing brain drain now than they were six years ago when a bunch of Test greats all retired at once.

With in-form veteran Hussey about to exit the scene and Ponting already gone, the Australians will be disturbingly short on experience heading into the big 2013 Ashes campaigns in England and at home, News. com. au reports.

Back in January 2007, McGrath, Shane Warne and Justin Langer all retired at once as Australia lost the backbone that had made them the best team in the world, and in the following years, Australia dropped down the world rankings and lost two Ashes series.

However McGrath is confident the experience vacuum can be overcome with young players capable of going to another level in time to face England. McGrath said young Australia players should grab this opportunity with their both hands, adding that there is no substitute to experience. The former quick also added that captain Michael Clarke is managing his younger players really well. (ANI)