Strauss now wants England Ashes series victory

MELBOURNE - England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has urged his side to win the Sydney Test and ensure an Ashes series victory after retaining the urn by winning the fourth Test here by an innings and 157 runs.

The tourists lead the series 2-1 with the final match starting on 3 January.

“It would be a damp squib if we didn’t go on and win in Sydney,” Strauss told BBC Sport after the tourists’ emphatic victory in Melbourne.

He added: “We are going to enjoy today, but it’s back on the horse again in Sydney and hopefully we can make it 3-1.”

According to Fox Sports, the commanding victory in Melbourne was the first time England had successfully retained the six-inch since the 1986/87 tour down under, when Mike Gatting’s team won 2-1.

However, Strauss’ team have the opportunity to become the first England side to register three victories in a single Ashes series down under since Mike Brearley led the tourists to a crushing 5-1 win in 1979 against the weakened hosts, who were decimated by defections to the rebel World Series Cricket league.trauss admitted he had been fortunate to win the toss on Boxing Day when he opted to insert Australia into bat and utilize green-top pitch that favored his fast bowlers.

Only two English captains who put Australia in to bat first had won the resulting Test match down under.

Strauss also paid tribute to all 12 of England’s back-room staff and their meticulous methods to ensure the squad was fully prepared for the rigors of a tour down under. (ANI)