'McGrath cannot be replaced'

Australia will struggle to fill the gaping hole left by Glenn McGrath's departure, according to Shane Warne. While Stuart Clark has been mentioned as a "McGrath clone", Warne believes it is in part McGrath's attitude and persistence that will be difficult to replicate.

"I don't think Glenn can be replaced," Warne wrote in his column in the Herald Sun. "In pure bowling terms, Australia might find another like him, but there is still a big question mark over that. It's everything else that he has brought to the table that has set McGrath apart.

"His attitude and ability to get the best players out consistently in all conditions has been unbelievable. The way he has stopped the momentum of opposition sides doesn't show up in stats. His whole attitude through his career has been to keep it simple, and that's been shown in the way he bowls.

Warne said opposition teams would enjoy the fact they no longer had to face he and McGrath. "That will give them a bit of a lift," he said. "We've seen that before when McGrath and I haven't played. But we have some wonderful players who can do the job for Australia."

He mentioned Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson as two young fast bowlers who could benefit from some time in the side while Australia's remaining veterans were still playing. "It's a great time for young players to come in because the team is still successful and on a roll," Warne wrote. "These players can develop before a few of the other guys retire."