It's all about age, the Australian test legend says, and Oz's Steve Smith-led team have years on their side in the race to form another Aussie cricket dynasty. 

Hadden's claim comes in the lead up to Australia's tour of South Africa, as the gloveman recounts Australia's winning side in the tour four years ago, that cemented their number one ranking.

The difference in average age between Hadden's squad - he was 36 at the time - and Smith's is only roughly a year, but Smith has more cricketers in their prime. Only Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh are pushing mid-thirties.

Smith himself is 28, David Warner 31, Mitchell Starc 27, Josh Hazlewood 27, Mitch Marsh 26, Nathan Lyon 30 and Pat Cummins only 24.

"The team four years ago, we were all on the way out," Haddin told cricket.com.au

"This team, they're all really young. They've got a long way to go and they could be together with each other for a long time. 

"The age is the biggest thing here. This group can do some great things. 

"They can be one of the great Australian teams with the ages they are."