In-form paceman Mitchell Johnson has welcomed the challenge of spearheading one of the most inexperienced attacks in recent history as Australia look to avoid a series whitewash in the third Test against South Africa in Sydney.
With four frontline players unavailable through injury, Johnson will partner Victorian rookie Peter Siddle, the uncapped Andrew McDonald, three-Test spinner Nathan Hauritz and either Doug Bollinger or Ben Hilfenhaus - both yet to play a Test.
"It's going to be a challenge for me and something I'm looking forward to," Johnson said. "That's probably my job in the team - to try to help these young blokes through this next little period."
He added: "That's something I've got to step up and do now.
"I still think we're a very strong side even though we've got a lot of young guys in the team.
"Dougie Bollinger, Andrew McDonald, Ben Hilfenhaus, they are going to come into the side with a lot of bubble."
The Proteas are 2-0 up after comprehensive victories in Perth and Melbourne and have vowed to keep the heat on their besieged hosts in Sydney and become the first side in 122 years to complete a home series whitewash against Australia.
If they do they will officially take over as the world's number one Test nation - a prospect that does not sit easily with Johnson.
"Everyone's keeping positive; we've still got one game to go and hopefully we'll get a win and not be beaten three-nil," he said.
"It's a pretty big deal. Australia has been the number one side for a very long side."
With four frontline players unavailable through injury, Johnson will partner Victorian rookie Peter Siddle, the uncapped Andrew McDonald, three-Test spinner Nathan Hauritz and either Doug Bollinger or Ben Hilfenhaus - both yet to play a Test.
"It's going to be a challenge for me and something I'm looking forward to," Johnson said. "That's probably my job in the team - to try to help these young blokes through this next little period."
He added: "That's something I've got to step up and do now.
"I still think we're a very strong side even though we've got a lot of young guys in the team.
"Dougie Bollinger, Andrew McDonald, Ben Hilfenhaus, they are going to come into the side with a lot of bubble."
The Proteas are 2-0 up after comprehensive victories in Perth and Melbourne and have vowed to keep the heat on their besieged hosts in Sydney and become the first side in 122 years to complete a home series whitewash against Australia.
If they do they will officially take over as the world's number one Test nation - a prospect that does not sit easily with Johnson.
"Everyone's keeping positive; we've still got one game to go and hopefully we'll get a win and not be beaten three-nil," he said.
"It's a pretty big deal. Australia has been the number one side for a very long side."
