Ashes 2013-14: Michael Clarke wants 5-0 Australia whitewash

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Media caption,

Winning Ashes the pinnacle - Clarke

Australia captain Michael Clarke says he is aiming to whitewash England and eventually become the best team in the world following their Ashes success.

Australia won the Ashes for the first time since 2007 with a 150-run victory in the third Test in Perth that put them 3-0 up with two matches to play.

"Our goal is to get back to the number one team in the world," said Clarke.

"We'll celebrate hard and enjoy it but we've got two more Test matches. We'd love to win 5-0 in this series."

Clarke was also part of the Australia team that beat England 5-0 in 2006-07,, external the first Ashes whitewash since 1920-21.

Media caption,

Ashes defeat 'hurts like hell' - Cook

"I don't think it would be right to compare," added the 32-year-old.

"I was young in a team of a lot of great players. This team has worked exceptionally hard so it wouldn't be fair to either the players of the past or this group."

Having won the last three series, England arrived in Australia looking for a fourth successive win over Australia for the first time since 1890.

But they have been heavily beaten in each of the first three Tests and, with only two matches - in Melbourne and Sydney - to come, Australia moved into an unassailable lead on the fifth afternoon in Perth.

With the tourists chasing 504 for victory, they were bowled out for 353, Mitchell Johnson having James Anderson caught at short leg to complete the win.

"The boys should be extremely proud, they have played some great cricket over three Test matches and they deserve the result we have got," added Clarke.

"We've had out fair share of criticism in the past couple of years but I know we have had a lot of support in the Australian public.

"This win, bringing the Ashes back home, is for the supporters that have stuck by us through thick and thin."

Clarke also said that criticism from former players inspired his side.

Former Australia fast bowler Merv Hughes questioned the current side's preparations for this series,, external while ex-captain Ian Chappell cast doubt on George Bailey's ability, external to play Test cricket.

In addition, Clarke has been involved in a public fall-out with predecessor Ricky Ponting, external over comments made in Ponting's autobiography.

"It is hard when you get criticised by past players," said Clarke.

"That inspired us to play good cricket and win games, to shut those people up. Hopefully we have done that."

Asked if he had been bothered by the criticism he and his side had received, Clarke replied: "We have just won the Ashes, I'm not going there."

Listen to Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's review of the day on the TMS podcast page.

Catch up with a two-minute summary of Test Match Special commentary with Pint-sized Ashes.

For a gallery of images from day five, go to the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

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