Sitting back and reflecting on the retirement of Michael Clarke a week or so after the Ashes, I was struck by how much our careers intertwined

Australia's new captain looks dominant in that position, even with the pronounced initial movement of his feet

Batsmen don't seem adept at getting through testing spells of bowling these days - as we saw at Edgbaston

Michael Clarke is at his best when getting on to the front foot. Against Stuart Broad his weight is now going backwards in anticipation of short stuff, which leaves him vulnerable

Last batsman in, but opening with the ball in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a man who bowled with unwavering accuracy

Brad Haddin's record in all matches against England is phenomenal, not least during the most recent Ashes. Walking out without him will be a very different experience for the Australians

The specialist spinner in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a man with over 700 Test wickets

At No. 9 in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a fast bowler who scored a Test double-hundred

The allrounder in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: the star of England's 2005 Ashes win

Behind the stumps in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman of all time?

At No. 6 in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a man they called Mr Cricket

At No. 5 in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: his predecessor

Leading the middle order in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a dashing batsman from England (or South Africa)

At one-drop in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: a gritty left-hand batsman who was a handy opener

Joining Matthew Hayden as opening partner in the former Australia captain's Ashes XI: an unflappable run-getter from England

Ryan Harris was a bowler for all roles, and his absence makes the Ashes a bit more difficult to call

Opening the batting on the former Australia captain's all-star Ashes XI picked from among his contemporaries: a burly attacker from Queensland

Relying on bits-and-pieces players, a lack variety in their bowling, and choosing Eoin Morgan as captain contributed to their early exit from the World Cup

They've drawn from their captain's aggressive style, and their crowds will get up Australia's face. Clarke and Co. have their work cut out

It will let him give his best as his Test career winds down and allow Steven Smith to settle into the leadership role in the long run