Legendary Aussie bowler tips an Australian Ashes whitewash
Published:With the first Ashes Test just three weeks away, Glenn McGrath has made his customary Ashes whitewash prediction.
The former Australian fast bowler has predicted an Australian 5-0 win in the last three Ashes series, and while his 2006/07 prediction was spot on, McGrath was way off the mark when England emerged victorious in 2005 and 2009.
Australia are 20/1 to register a 5-0 victory over England, but considering their form entering the Ashes, they have slipped to fifth in the Test rankings after poor results against India and Pakistan, a repeat of the 06/07 Ashes series seems unlikely.
“I couldn’t have more faith in the boys,” said McGrath. “I think we’ll bounce back and win all the Tests.”
“They’ll be close but I’m tipping a 5-0 whitewash.”
McGrath, nicknamed Pigeon, took 157 wickets in 30 Tests against England and Australia have failed to find a replacement since McGrath retired in 2007.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting is searching for the bowler than can have the same impact that McGrath did late on in the innings.
“It has been [an issue] for some time, ever since Pigeon moved on, bowling at the death,” said Ponting after the second Test defeat in India where the Indian batsman scored 108 runs off the final 10 overs.
Peter George has been touted as the next McGrath and took his first Test wickets, including the scalp of Tendulkar in that second Test against India.
With Ponting looking for a fast bowler who can cause some damage to the England tail end, George may be given a chance to prove himself in the first Test and he is 25/1 to be Australia’s leading series wicket-taker.
Mitchell Johnson is currently the 9/4 favourite to be Australia’s leading series wicket-taker after taking eight wickets in the two series Test against India.
Australia are 10/11 to win the first Test in Brisbane. See the full Ashes betting odds here.
