Melbourne - With paceman Glenn McGrath retired, it appears Australia captain Ricky Ponting has taken on the role of making a bold prediction of a 5-0 Ashes sweep over England.
McGrath said ahead of the 2005 series in England that Australia would win 5-0. But Australia lost 2-1, giving England its first Ashes series victory since Australia reclaimed the old urn under Allan Border in 1989.
Australia rebounded by winning the 2006-07 Ashes series at home 5-0, but England reclaimed bragging rights in England in 2009 with another 2-1 win.
Ponting said Monday his team has learned from its mistakes and it's "absolutely possible" Australia can regain the Ashes with a 5-0 series win starting in November.