We want to win Ashes outright by beating Australia in Sydney Test: Swann

LONDON - England spinner Graeme Swann has said the team is still not satisfied after retaining the Ashes urn, but wants to win the series outright by beating Australia in fifth and final Test in Sydney.

Australia lost the fourth Test by an innings and 157 runs to go 2-1 down in the five-match series, and Ricky Ponting returned scores of 10 and 20 to leave him with only 113 runs from eight innings.

“This has been a fantastic series for England but I can tell you that we are not satisfied yet. It’s great that our victory in Melbourne means we definitely retain The Ashes for another 21/2 years until Australia come to England in 2013. But we want to go on and win the series outright,” The Sun quoted Swann, as saying.

“That’s what we came here for - and that remains our ambition. We want to emulate what Mike Gatting’s team achieved Down Under in 1986-87. It was watching videos of that series at home with my brother that first sparked my love of cricket. So I have a special reason for dreaming of a repeat.

“To bounce back so emphatically after our defeat in Perth shows the mental strength and inner self-belief of this England team. Let’s not be modest, we have absolutely thrashed Australia in this Fourth Test and outplayed them in every department. Our success is a reward for all the hard work and planning we have put into this tour,” Swann said.

He said that achievements of players like Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson, Steven Finn and Chris Tremlett during the series has been absolutely brilliant.

“And I’m delighted that the target of so much of my mickey-taking, Tim Bresnan, played such a big role in Melbourne. I’m made up for the lad. Most of all, though, retaining The Ashes is a triumph for the two Andys - Strauss and Flower,” he said. (ANI)