Glenn McGrath says Australia are confident they can go on and complete their first Ashes whitewash against England in 86 years even though the fifth test is still in the balance after yesterday's second day.

The Australians looked to have gained the upper hand when they knocked over England's last six wickets for just 46 runs to end their first innings on 291 in the morning before their own batsmen stumbled late in the afternoon.

England picked up four vital wickets, including the vital scalp of Ricky Ponting with a run out, before Australia rallied to end the day on 188-4.

"The test match is reasonably evenly poised I guess," McGrath told a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"Tomorrow's first session will be quite important. If we can get through that without losing any wickets, or not too many, and get some runs on the board, then I'd say we're in front."

McGrath, who triggered England's collapse when he dismissed Paul Collingwood shortly after the start of play, said Australia's top-order batting slump had given the tourists a glimmer of hope but he was confident the home side would consolidate their position today.

"They have got a bit of an opportunity but it'll depend on how things go in the morning. If we can put on a good partnership first off then we can take it away from them," said McGrath, who is retiring from test cricket after the match, along with Shane Warne and Justin Langer.

"If you look at the team we have, if we go out there and have a good session then it's usually a real good session but if we have a bad session it's not too bad."

"We feel if we play as well as we can it doesn't matter who we're playing, we can turn things around real quickly.

(China Daily via Agencies January 4, 2007)