McGrath gunning for Ashes whitewash

12 April 2012

Glenn McGrath has unashamedly repeated his 5-0 whitewash prediction from last summer's Ashes series for this winter's contest.

The outspoken Australia seamer was left with egg on his face last year after England won 2-1 to reclaim the urn for the first time in 18 years. But McGrath insists he has even more reason to make such a controversial declaration this time around and has criticised England for failing to progress from their incredible triumph.

"I reckon it will be 5-0 this time, as well," he said in the Mail on Sunday. "To say anything else would be negative. If we're going to win 2-1, or 3-2, which games are we going to lose?"

McGrath believes Duncan Fletcher's side are there for the taking this winter after suffering injuries to key players, including captain Michael Vaughan and reverse-swing specialist Simon Jones, which has forced them to bring a number of Ashes rookies Down Under.

The veteran fast bowler also reckons his absence during the two Tests England won to clinch last year's series was one of the main reasons Australia were beaten.

"England are not as strong as they were last year," he said in the Mail on Sunday. "But Australia are a lot stronger. And I'm fit, unlike last time. Put it this way, in the three Tests I played in last time, we drew two and won one."

McGrath then proceeded to expose what he sees as England's weaknesses, both collectively and individually.

"Michael Vaughan and Simon Jones are huge losses for them," he said. "There are doubts over the fitness of Freddie Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Ashley Giles, while things are not too good for Marcus Trescothick.

"They have new guys who have done well but have never played in the Ashes series, let alone one in Australia. We'll see how the likes of Alastair Cook get on down here and we'll try and open up old wounds with Ian Bell.

"Kevin Pietersen will find a second season in international cricket is always harder than the first and I'm sure our batsmen will plan to get after Monty Panesar. As for me, I'll be paying attention to their openers, and to their new boys."

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