We planned and executed so well throughout the tournament, dominating with bat and ball, that in the end we did not have a close game during our entire two months in the West Indies.

I believe we have set new standards in the game and while the other teams must now reach that benchmark to challenge us, it is up to Australia's next generation to ensure we can maintain our No.1 position. When there is a benchmark set, that's where everyone has got to get to again.

This is the beginning of a new era in the Australian team. With new coach Tim Nielsen taking over from John Buchanan, who did a great job over the past seven or eight years, a new structure will be put in place.

But the high expectations will be exactly the same. I found that when I first came into the Australia team more than a decade ago.

As a youngster, you sat back and watched the champion players and how they went about things and learned what you had to do to become part of a successful team.

For me, it was players like Steve and Mark Waugh, David Boon and Mark Taylor who showed me the way as they moulded Australia into a champion team.

Since that time, we have always had a core of outstanding senior players responsible for some great success.

It will now be up to the next generation to come in and emulate the success of those players who have gone before them. With Glenn McGrath retiring and Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Brad Hogg all at very long odds to play in the next World Cup in four years' time, places are going to open up for the next generation.

Helping to guide these new guys will be an exciting time for me. At 32, I certainly hope to be around for the next World Cup and would love to see those given their chance to step up for Australia over the next few seasons continue the great traditions and success of the current team.

It's also going to be a sad time over the next year or two because it has been a great privilege to be part of World Cup campaigns with wonderful players like Glenn, Gilly, Haydos and Hoggy.

By the same token, getting younger guys into the team always freshens things up. I know they're going to be very highly skilled players. It will be a matter of managing them and getting to know them.

Most importantly, it will be all about giving them the encouragement and guidance to back themselves and play with freedom.

It's important to let young players know that the skills and talent that have gained them a promotion to the national team are the same skills and talent that will make them successful at the top level.

They must keep playing the type of game that helped them dominate at state level and caught the eyes of the selectors. While it will be impossible to replace everything that Glenn has brought to the team over such a long time, there is certainly plenty of talent around vying for his place.

Stuart Clark, who bowls very much like Glenn, made a huge impression in Test cricket last year while Mitchell Johnson has all the attributes to be a fine fast bowler and young Ben Hilfenhaus, from Tasmania, is particularly promising.

Shaun Tait did an absolutely wonderful job replacing the injured Brett Lee and has now proved that he is an international cricketer. Taity still has a fair bit to learn about himself and the physical demands it will take to be a fast bowler playing for Australia. They will be a lot greater than he has experienced playing for South Australia.

He has discovered so much about the game over the past couple of months, which is something that young blokes must do when they're given the opportunity to play for their country.

It is something that Michael Clarke has done really well over the last year or so.

These are exciting times in Australia cricket.

(The author is the captain of Australia cricket team and wrote this article for the Australian)