Australian Ashes glory won't lead to complacency: McGrath by Cricketarchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

GD McGrath, RT Ponting

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DateLine: 20th December 2006

 

Australia will not be complacent in the remaining Ashes Tests despite snatching the series from England in a record three matches, veteran paceman Glenn McGrath vowed on Tuesday. Australia regained the Ashes trophy with their stunning 3-0 Test score against the crest-fallen visitors, which climaxed with victory on Monday in the third of the five-Test series. But Australian captain Ricky Ponting warned his celebrating team that their goal of a 5-0 series was still a long way off, despite their 206-run win in Perth, McGrath said. "The boys were really happy we captured the Ashes, it's exactly what we wanted to do, but Ricky Ponting did make the point that there's still two Test matches to go and the opportunity to really play well and win these last two and go five-nil up," McGrath told commercial radio. The young guys will be keen to get out there, keep playing well and drive it into them and five-nil I think would be a fitting result really in the end," he told Sydney radio 2KY.

 

McGrath, who said he felt no sympathy for the battered losers, said proof of Australia's continued hunger was that he cut his celebrations in Perth short to fly back to Sydney. "I think seven hours of celebrating in the dressing rooms is plenty, we've still got two more Tests to go," he said. The 36-year-old said he felt no sympathy for England who handed back the urn in just 15 days of cricket and after holding it for just 15 months of the last 19 years. "You don't feel too much for them," he said recalling Australia's ignominious defeat to England last year. "I remember standing on The Oval last year watching England celebrate when they won the Ashes. "I'm sure everyone else in Australia who met up with any England supporter since then has really copped it, so no, we don't feel sorry for them. Order has been restored," McGrath said.