Glenn McGrath has backed up his 2005 Ashes prediction by stating that Australia will beat England 5-0 in this year's forthcoming series.

The Australian speedster stunned English fans last year when he slammed England and said the Ashes would be retained with another Australian whitewash.

However, McGrath was silenced when his side succumbed to England 1-2 to surrender the prized urn.

"I reckon it will be 5-0 this time, as well," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"To say anything else would be negative. If we're going to win 2-1, or 3-2, which games are we going to lose?"

McGrath, who took a six-month break from representative cricket at the start of this year in order to care for his cancer-stricken wife, acknowledges he is glad to be back.

The Test star also believes England's lengthy injury list will make life easier for Australia this summer.

"England are not as strong as they were last year. But Australia are a lot stronger. And I'm fit, unlike last time," said McGrath.

"Put it this way, in the three Tests I played in last time, we drew two and won one."

"England are not the same team as they were. I'm disappointed in them."

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