Ricky Ponting today warned England they face another 5-0 thrashing in this winter's Ashes series in Australia.
England hold the urn after overcoming Ponting's team 2-1 in this country last summer but their task is likely to be tougher when they travel Down Under. England claimed the Ashes in 2005 but were then beaten in all five Tests when they went to Australia a little more than a year later.
The Aussies have lost players like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist since the 2006/07 series but Ponting still believes they can humiliate England.
Asked if his side could win 5-0, the Australia captain said: "It's absolutely possible. There is no reason why not.
"It's all in our hands. It's how we play and how we take charge of different situations. We've learned from a lot of the mistakes we've made."
However, Pakistan batsman Imran Farhat believes Ponting's prediction is optimistic. Farhat was part of the Pakistan team who beat the Aussies at Headingley last month, while he struggled with the rest of his side as England won the opening two Tests of the current series.
The third match of the series begins at The Brit Insurance Oval on Wednesday but plans are already being formed for the Ashes, which begins in Brisbane on 25 November.
"I don't think it will be 5-0," said Farhat. "England are bowling very well at the moment. If they play the way they have played against us, they shouldn't have a problem."
