Steve Smith Excited by Challenges Ahead for Young Australians

Australian captain Steve Smith is confident his team can continue to excel, despite the retirement of another stalwart of the side.(McCullum Happy With Draw)

The retirement of feared paceman Mitchell Johnson after the second Test against New Zealand at the WACA Ground continued a changing of the guard for the Australian side.(Match Report)

Clarke has only been in the job for a few months and is guiding a team missing six long-term players who have formed the backbone of Australian cricket for many years.(Scorecard)

In the last 12 months, former captain Michael Clarke, opener Chris Rogers, all-rounder Shane Watson, seamer Ryan Harris, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Johnson have all hung up their pads.

However, Smith said he was confident the future was in good hands with their replacements.

"It is a really exciting opportunity," Smith said.

"We have lost one of the great players in Australian cricket in Mitchell Johnson and he had a phenomenal career.

"Going forward though, it is exciting for this young group.

"We are going to have to work extremely hard to get to where we want to get to, which is number one in the word in all formats of the game."

Australian will announce their squad for the third Test in Adelaide, starting on November 26, on Wednesday morning.

Smith said he would bat at number three, while Usman Khawaja has been sidelined by a hamstring strain.

The Australians will need to replace Johnson and Khawaja and there are suggestions Josh Hazlewood could be rested.

Misfiring all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is also under pressure to retain his place in the side.