Glenn McGrath makes confident 10-0 Ashes prediction

Duncan Bech 05:56 30/06/2015
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  • Assured: McGrath.

    Glenn McGrath has mocked England’s decision to turn to an Australian for the first time in appointing Trevor Bayliss as their new coach for the upcoming Ashes series.

    Bayliss’ first assignment will be against his home country – the five Test showdown starts in Cardiff next Wednesday – and bowling legend McGrath has seized the chance to take a swipe at his old rivals.

    “Can it get any worse?! I guess it’s a negative thing for English coaches that there weren’t too many thrown up at the top of the list,” McGrath said.

    “When you see Australian coaches around the world coaching other teams it shows how great a job we have done. There’s no negative reaction back home. I think everyone is happy for Trevor. They wish him a lot of success, but not too much against the Aussies!”

    McGrath, who took 563 Test wickets during an outstanding international career spanning 14 years, produced his customary prediction of a 5-0 whitewash of England when asked for his thoughts on the outcome of the series.

    “I think everyone expects me to say 5-0 and I’ve dug a hole for myself over the years. If I say anything else they’ll think I’m not confident,” he said.

    “So I’ll go for something slightly different this year. Considering Australia won 5-0 last time in Australia, I’m just continuing that so my prediction is Australia will win 10-0.

    “To play England at home is always a lot tougher than playing them away, there is no doubt about that. Back when we come over here when we were playing pretty well there was never a 5-0 series win. This could always be the first. Australia have been playing some good cricket of late.”

    Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand will make history on November 27, contesting the first ever day/night Test in Adelaide.

    Hopes are high that revised timings can help reinvigorate the longer format, meaning the eyes of the cricketing world will be trained on the groundbreaking match which will be the third and final game of the trans-Tasman series.

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