'100 per cent. We can win 5-0' - Aussie spin wizard makes bold prediction ahead of Ashes 2023

Australia (Source: Twitter)

Australia star spinner Nathan Lyon has made a bold prediction ahead of the 2023 Ashes, which will see the Kangaroos make history in the marquee Test series after 22 years. The Aussies haven't won a series in England since 2001, but Lyon believes they can whitewash the five-match series and retain the trophy.

Australia, who won the 2021-22 series, are the current holders of the Ashes. But their best result in English soil since the 2001 triumph was a 2-2 draw during the 2019 leg, in which Steve Smith had a magnificent campaign, amassing 774 runs in four Tests at an average above 100.

Speaking at a team training camp in Brisbane, Lyon stated that Pat Cummins and Co are confident in their trip to England for the opening match on June 16 at Edgbaston. Asked for clarity on whether Australia can whitewash the series, the off-spinner replied, "One hundred per cent. There you go. There's your headline."

"I do believe we can win 5-0, for sure. I’ve never gone into any game thinking that we’re never going to compete well and win the game. I know it’s a headline for you guys, but in my opinion and my view, every game I play for Australia, I’m going out there to win it. I’m confident heading over there. I think our squad should be really proud of the work that we’ve done over the last 24 months. I think it’s been an incredible journey and something that we should be really proud of."

Lyon hopes Australia can do well and silence the 'Barmy Army'

Lyon, who had a decent outing in England with 20 wickets in the last series, said he expects a packed stadium and hopes his team can silence the English crowd with their performance.

"I know I’m going to get a lot of feedback from the English fans … positive, negative, whatever it may be. That’s totally OK. At the end of the day, we’re going out there and we’re playing professional sport. Hopefully they are going to be sold out and there’ll be a lot of loud crowds. The best thing we can do is go out there and perform well and silence the crowd," the 35-year-old concluded.