England spectators want to see 5-0 Ashes 'sweep', says Stewart

Former England player Alec Stewart has said in his column that although the goal of a 5-0 series-win for England was thinking too far ahead, it was something the whole country wanted to see.

According to the Mirror, Stewart said that England need to show their class from the first ball to the last and if each individual performs to the best of their ability and as a unit, the Ashes will be won and the country can celebrate yet more sporting success.

The former player said that the surface at Old Trafford could offer spin and reverse swing and Australia would have a lot of thinking to do.

He said that although David Warner was going to get a chance to play, a settled team would allow players to develop and mature, and it would take brave selectors to stick to their principles and back their own judgment when the team is losing, adding that it would not make much difference because England was in complete control.