Botham backs England to whitewash Australia

Ian Botham has warned Australia that England are so superior to their old rivals that it would be no surprise to see back-to-back whitewashes in the forthcoming Ashes double-header.

England legend Botham believes his country’s 48-run win over Australia in the Champions Trophy on Saturday is likely to be the first in a long line of victories in their meetings over the next few months.

The former all-rounder, who tormented Australia with his heroics during several epic Ashes encounters in the 1980s, is so unimpressed by Michael Clarke’s squad that he believes England could win all 10 of the upcoming Tests between the countries.

England will look to retain the Ashes when they face Australia in a five-Test series that starts on July 10 at Trent Bridge and, if Botham’s bold prediction comes true, they will then dominate again when they travel to Australia for the Ashes rematch later this year.

‘Given that we’ve got back-to-back Ashes series between now and January, if we get a good summer - and you rarely lose too many days to rain in Australia - make that 10-0,’ Botham told the Sunday Times. ‘I’m serious. Why not? I think we’re that much better. All it needs is the players to believe they can do it. 

‘Australia will be tougher than they look on paper, because they’re born fighters, but not only are they struggling to keep a fast bowler on the field for more than one game at a time, losing (Ricky) Ponting and (Michael) Hussey has left a gaping hole in the batting. ‘They’re relatively inexperienced, which is a big minus coming to England.’