ICC Hall of Fame inductee Glenn McGrath believes Australia are 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 Mike Hussey about to exit the scene and Ricky Ponting already gone, the Australians will be disturbingly short on experience heading into the big 2013 Ashes campaigns in England and at home.

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.

In the ensuing 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.

“To think that when I retired and in that period we lost six or seven players from the game it has been a rebuilding period,” said McGrath.

“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.

“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.”

McGrath said the bowling rotation policy Australia have adopted must now be accepted as part of the game.

However, Australia’s greatest ever pace bowler warned the system could be misused.

“If that’s the way of the future, that’s the way of the future. It’s no longer a team of 11 or 12 players it’s a squad of 20 and that’s the way they have to look at it.

“I think in Perth it probably backfired a little bit a little bit with the inexperience there … but players have to be happy with it and accept it and move on.”

McGrath is happily promoting the fifth straight McGrath Foundation Pink Test at the SCG.

The breast cancer foundation has raised over $3.5 million since first linking with the Sydney Test five years ago, and aims to place breast care nurses in hospitals across Australia.

The fundraising concept went international in 2011 in a Test between Australia and South Africa in Johannesburg, and now McGrath is hopeful of England hosting a Pink Test during this year’s Ashes.

“To head over to England would be pretty remarkable. I think we’re a good chance,” he said.

Donations can be made at mcgrathfoundation.com.au.