Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has just gone past 400 Test wickets, and is now attempting to emulate Glenn McGrath in more ways than one.
McGrath famously predicted Australia would whitewash England in the Ashes more than once during his illustrious career, and Lyon is saying the same thing this summer.
Australia recorded a thumping nine-wicket victory over the tourists in the first Test, wrapping the match up well inside four days of play.
After knocking England over for just 150 on the opening days, runs to David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head made the task for England to claw their way back into the match near on impossible.
Lyon wants the remainder of the series to follow the same script though, telling The Sydney Morning Herald he believed the home side could win 5-0.
“I do believe we can win 5-0 ... for sure,” Lyon told the publication.
“I’ve never walked into a Test series thinking I’m going to go in there and lose a game. We’ll do everything we can. If we prepare well and play the right positive brand of cricket under our new captain, there’s no reason why we can’t win 5-0.
“In saying that, England’s a classy outfit, and they’re going to challenge us here and there. With two pink-ball games now, we’re going to make sure we’re totally on our game.”
Australia have recorded three whitewashed in their Ashes history, the most recent coming in 2013-14.
The weather may play its part in Australia recording a 5-0 victory though, with Australia's easy coast, which will host the third, fourth and fifth currently being gripped by unseasonal summer rain.
