SYDNEY: Paceman Doug Bollinger says skipper Ricky Ponting`s claim that Australia could sweep this year`s Ashes series 5-0 has not heaped extra pressure on the team to beat England, reports said Friday.
Ponting`s belief that routing England was "absolutely possible" riled the England team with batsman Jonathan Trott replying: "If I said that I would probably find it puts pressure on me and the team."
But Bollinger, who is vying with Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris to lead Australia`s new-ball attack in the November-January Ashes series, said Ponting`s assertion would not hinder the Australians.
"I don`t think so, I think that is exciting," Bollinger told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"That is the benchmark we can set ourselves and if we can achieve that it would be brilliant.
"Winning 5-0, especially at home, you wouldn`t see me for a couple of weeks, that would be awesome."
Although England have defeated Australia in Test, one-day and Twenty20 matches in the past year, Bollinger added to the pre-Ashes mind games.
"They are confident because they have been winning every game. What team wouldn`t be confident?" he said.
"But I`m not worried. We have just as good players -- if not better players than they do."
Meanwhile, senior batsman Simon Katich said he was unconcerned that half of Australia`s likely top order batting line-up against England will be aged 35.
Ponting will be just a month shy of 36 when the first Test against England begins at Brisbane`s Gabba in late November while Mike Hussey turned 35 in May.
Katich, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Saturday, dismissed age as a factor as Australia attempt to retrieve the Ashes they lost in England last year.
"There`s a fair bit being made of that and you can`t hide from the fact that there are going to be three of us over 35 in the top four or five," Katich told The Australian.
"From my point of view I know I`m older but at the same time I`m as hungry as I`ve ever been, I`m enjoying playing cricket again and my attitude has been the same for the last two or three years.
Having lost the Ashes, the coming series is likely to have a big bearing on the future of the 35-year-old Australian batting trio.
"I`m confident with us playing in Australia we know our conditions well and we`re looking forward to playing at home. Hopefully that will hold us in good stead, but anything can happen," Katich said.
BDST: 1750HRS, August 20, 2010
