October 25 Friday 2002
Triumphant Australia eye Ashes series with confidence

SYDNEY: Australia's cricketers returned home in upbeat mood on Thursday following their 3-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan and brimful of confidence ahead of their home Ashes series against England. Australia have won the last seven series against England and are red-hot favourites to make it eight in a row, especially as their opponents have begun their three-month tour in faltering fashion. 

England crashed to a 58-run loss to an Australian invitational side in their opening match on Tuesday but Australia's cricketers have been careful not to underestimate them during the five Ashes tests. "It's another challenge for us to keep up and maintain our standards, so I'm expecting a really tough series," Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist told reporters after his arrival in Perth. 

"I haven't seen these new (England) pace bowlers that they've got but obviously they're going to try and fight fire with fire, and that's going to make for exciting cricket." 

Australia's one-day captain Ricky Ponting said England were a more settled team than the one that toured here four years ago. "I think they are a very good squad," said Ponting, who is in prime form after scoring two centuries against Pakistan. "They are a lot more settled than they once were. They are a lot more together and have a settled batting line-up. Their fast bowlers have done a good job for them in the last couple of years. "I think they'll be cherry-ripe for the first test and we will have to play well to beat them." 

Opener Justin Langer was also cautious about writing off England's chances but he expects Australia to win if they play to their best. "They can talk it up as much as they like but we'll be going out and playing very hard cricket," Langer said. "If we play at the intensity we played against Pakistan, we will always be very hard to beat." 

Australian captain Steve Waugh was a notable absentee when his team returned to their various state capitals with a noticeable spring in their steps. Waugh, who ended any doubts over his immediate place in the side with an unbeaten century against Pakistan in Sharjah on Sunday, was diverted to India for a business meeting with his bat sponsor.