Katich confident class of 2009 can shine

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The Australia opener, one of only four surviving members of the defeated 2005 Ashes side alongside captain Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, is now one of the more experienced members of their line-up.

Asked whether Australia now lack the aura of their illustrious predecessors, 33-year-old Katich stressed: "That's always the case with so many legends of Australian cricket retiring but the exciting thing from our point of view is that we have a batch of youngsters that are really keen to make their own Ashes history."

In 2005 Katich was an inexperienced middle order batsman at Test level, but has since been converted into an impressive opener following the retirements of legendary figures like Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.

But despite their inconsistent performances during their two warm-up matches, Katich is confident the 2009 vintage have the ability to retain the Ashes during the coming weeks.

He added: "We've seen in the last six months that we have had a number of guys to step up into their roles and they have done very well for us - guys like Mitchell Johnson, Phil Hughes at the top of the order, Marcus North now and Peter Siddle.

"All these guys have come in and replaced the great players and are starting to make their own mark in Test cricket."

Opening partner Hughes, who averages an impressive 69.16 from his three Tests in South Africa, perhaps faces one of the biggest tests after having his confidence shaken during the recent match against England Lions by a short-pitched barrage from Steve Harmison.

Durham fast bowler Harmison will not be facing 20-year-old Hughes in Cardiff after being left out of England's first Test squad, but he can expect a similar response from players like Stuart Broad and Andrew Flintoff.

"There's no doubt that England will come at him with those plans after seeing it happen last week in Worcester, but I'm sure he's good enough and his temperament is good enough for him to withstand that battle."