Former cricketer Glenn McGrath urges the Australian team to set their sights higher and secure a series victory on English soil, despite already retaining the Ashes urn. In the fourth Test, England dominated the proceedings, leaving Australia unable to level the series due to rain. Now, with one match remaining, McGrath believes it’s crucial for Australia to capitalize on the opportunity and clinch the series win at Kennington Oval.
McGrath emphasizes that winning the series on English turf would be a significant achievement, boosting the players’ confidence and showcasing their prowess. England was initially favored, especially with their Bazball revolution, making Australia’s victory all the more rewarding.
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“I would rather see Australia lose the last Test by backing themselves, really taking it to England, rather than going down with a whimper. Winning in England for the first time since 2001, beating this energized England team under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, should be massive motivation. To return to Australia with a 3-1 victory would be a huge response to Bazball – an incredible achievement,” McGrath expressed in his column for BBC.
Reflecting on the closely contested matches in the series, McGrath notes that England could have been leading 3-0 had they not missed numerous catches in the initial games. Furthermore, England’s advantage of winning all the tosses so far has played a role in shaping the course of the series.
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With the fifth and final Test ahead, McGrath hopes Australia will demonstrate determination and fight, aiming to secure a historic victory that resonates beyond just retaining the Ashes urn.