Ponting pushes for more

Ricky Ponting has led from the front © Getty Images

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Ricky Ponting has hailed his “relentless” Australian team who are eyeing an Ashes whitewash after inflicting a comprehensive defeat on England at the MCG.

Ponting is just one match away from emulating Warwick Armstrong’s achievement in 1920-21 and becoming only the second Australian captain in history to beat England 5-0 following their innings and 99 runs triumph in the fourth Test.

Australia’s displays have demonstrated none of the uncertainty or inconsistency which marked their performances in the last series which allowed England to regain the Ashes for the first time in 18 years.

And it is the way his side have reacted to pivotal situations which has pleased Ponting most and marked them out as a considerably superior unit to the tourists when it mattered.

“When there have been big moments in this series we’ve won them and won them very convincingly - that was one thing we didn’t do in the last series,” said Ponting.

“When a big moment came up we made a little mistake and allowed England back into the game and we haven’t done that this time.

“We can get ourselves into as much trouble as any other team during a Test match, but we will find a way of scrapping it out and getting our noses in front.

“Even in the last series we did that but as soon as we started to get our noses in front we made a mistake and that changed the momentum of the game.

“This series we haven’t done that. When we’ve had our chance this time we’ve made the most of that opportunity. We’ve been relentless, we just haven’t given it up.”

That was most clearly underlined by Australia seizing the moment on the final day of the second Test in Adelaide by dismissing England cheaply and going on to claim a memorable victory.

And, during this Test at the MCG, Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden combined in a match-winning 279-run partnership just as it seemed England would secure an unlikely first innings lead.

But having secured another comprehensive victory, their 11th in a row, Ponting is eager not to let the chance slip to become only the second side in Ashes history to secure a 5-0 triumph.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting plays a fatal hook shot in the fourth Test © Getty Images

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Previous Australian sides have had the same opportunity, but have let it slip through their grasp - notably four years ago when England won the final Test - but this time Ponting is hoping the present side can be more ruthless.

“At the moment there is a great feeling around the team,” he said.

“We’ve got a great opportunity now for a couple of days to really get away from cricket and freshen up and when we do get together in Sydney and carry that good feeling into the game.

“You can’t ever take for granted winning a Test match - it’s not an easy thing to do.

“It’s hard work winning any game and we’ve got a chance now to be able to get something very special for this team and this squad and we’ll be giving it everything to try and win that game so it’s preparation as usual as far as I’m concerned.”

Man-of-the-match Shane Warne will enter the final Test needing just one wicket to claim his 1,000th international victim, but he is also focussing more on team goals than individual achievements as he prepares for the final Test of his glittering career.

“5-0 is a real goal for us now - a whitewash of an excellent cricket side - and if I can continue getting a few wickets in Sydney that would be great,” he said.

“I’m just jumping out of my skin at the moment. I feel like I’ve had 50 vodka and Red Bulls every time I step out on to the field - I feel very happy and young and fresh.

“I’m going back to Sydney now where it all started and these are moments to enjoy, it doesn’t make me sad.

"I’m leaving when I’m on top of my game. I feel like I’m bowling as well now as I have at any time of my career so it’s nice to go out on top.”