Former Australia paceman Glenn McGrath has repeated his bold proclamation of four years ago to claim Australia will win the Ashes in a 5-0 whitewash.
McGrath famously made a similar prediction on the eve of the 2005 series, but his own ankle injury contributed to Australia's downfall as England edged a dramatic series 2-1. However, he has not been put off, and told The Australian newspaper he believes that Ricky Ponting's side will only be denied a whitewash if the weather intervenes.
"My prediction is it will be 5-0 to Australia," said McGrath, who played in the 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England in Australia in 2007 before retiring.
"I've got total confidence in the boys, especially watching the way they played in South Africa in the last Test series.
"I thought that would have given them a lot of confidence. They showed what they can do and the huge potential that they've got.
"If they can do the same here and maybe even improve in one or two areas they will do really well and probably win 5-0."
McGrath, who has been drafted into the Australia camp to help the fast bowlers, was speaking before it was confirmed that the tourists' most experienced paceman, Brett Lee, will miss the first two Tests with a torn rib muscle.
Comment 82 - 101 of 101
lanky streak of aussie p**s
Message to McGrath, Listwen Mate, you don't play anymore...your comments are so old and unoriginal they make us Poms laugh.Change the record sunshine.
Typical usual boorish comments . These guys are good enough to do thier talking on the pitch and should stick to that ad do us all a favour
5-0 whitewash for australia more like glen you boring miserable person COME ON ENGLAND
There is no question-Aussies will surely bash up England.....after all there is a Bopara, a Panesar and the like!
As the Aussie batsman passed the man in the white coat, he said "That was never LBW mate - you need glasses."
And the man in the white coat replied, "so do you mate, i'm selling ice-cream."
Q. What does Ponting put in his hands to make sure the next ball almost always takes a wicket?
A. A bat.
Q. What would Harbajan be if he was an Australian?
A. An allrounder.
Q. What is the most proficient form of footwork displayed by Australian batsmen?
A. The walk back to the pavilion.
Q. Who has the easiest job in the Australian squad?
A. The guy who removes the red ball marks from the bats.
Q. What’s the Australian version of LBW?
A. Lost, Beaten, Walloped.
Q. Who spends the most time on the 'crease' of anyone in the Australian team?
A. The person who ironed the cricket jerseys
Q: what is the difference between an Australian fielder and a condom?
A: one drops a catch and other catches a drop
Q: What did the spectator miss when he went to the toilet?
A: The entire Australian innings.
Q. What do Ponting and Michael Jackson have in common?
A. They both wear gloves for no apparent reason
Q: How should the Australian coach reshuffle the Australian batting order?
A: Move Extras up the order
Q: What is the Australian version of a hat-trick?
A: 3 runs in 3 balls
Q: When would Ponting have 100 runs against his name?
A: When he is bowling.
Q: Where do Australian Batsman perform their best?
A: In Advertisments.
One final anecdote......At the end of the 05 series at the Oval, the England boys spent the night celebrating in a top London hotel. Flintoff came out the following morning looking much the worse for wear (i'm sure you all remember the pictures) He was stopped just outside the hotel by a reporter and the (short) conversation between the two went thus......
Reporter: "Crikey Fred, have you been drinking all night?"
"Yes" said Flintoff, totally unrepentant
"Have you had anything to eat?" asked the reporter, showing unusual concern.
"Yup" replied Flintoff........."A cigar"
Finally the waiting is over..........BRING IT ON!!
mcgrath has been in the aussie sun too long...they'll want to go home tomorrow night.
Royjohn4,
That's a cracker, it really is :^)
Anyway, roll on tomorrow. I can only hope we have a close fought contest. For me, we have the bowlers but the batters are the key. The Australians we know will knuckle down and sell their stumps dearly. Our lads have to value their wickets, something in recent times they haven't always done, if that happens it will be a good series. If not the bowlers will forever be on the back foot. We'll see. Whatever, Ashes is upon us and their is a vibrance in the air :^)
May the best side win.
Unfortunately McGrath got it right last time. But it was 5-0 because England were under-prepared. The guys were still living in the summer of 2005. Not having Vaughn made a massive difference. Panesar should have played from the start and Fred should have been left to do what he does best. Strauss should have been captain. Think maybe they would at least have won or drawn a match then.
Glen McGrath belongs in a circus.
5-0 would be a good result for england
#25 Kellie my dear little sheila all Australians come from another country
Definetely the most arrogant people on the planet the aussies. I have no doubt they are extremely talented, but boy do they talk it up.
Oh come on, some of these comments are laughable. Australia are coming over here with an inexperienced attack. English conditions are totally different to anywhere else. England won in 2005 because of their ability to be able to swing the ball. I am not for one minute saying England will win but saying Australia will win 4:1 or 5:0 is the biggest laugh I've had in a long while. You look at all the past results. Australia nearly always won due to messieurs Warne or McGrath. Their batting is as strong as ever, but where are their spinners? C'mon England, this is your best chance in a while.
OH how predictable of Mcrath like most Aussie`s full of @#$%.
Tit.
Since we're doing jokes......Alledgedly during the 05 Ashes series Fred Flintoff came out to bat, took his guard and waited for McGrath to come hurtling in....McGrath was only 2 paces into his run-up when he was stopped by Warne standing at 2nd slip. Warne turned to Flintoff and shouted "Hey Fred, hold on a minute, there's a big lump of @#$% on the end of your bat" Flintoff came out of his crouch and proceeded to inspect the bottom of his bat...
Quick as a flash, Warne shouted at Flintoff, "no mate, the other end"......
this is enough......although i respect mcrath,but always saying this before an ashes series is pathetic....come on,we have to give england some chance....i really believe they can do it.......
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