England seamer James Anderson says he and his team-mates are not yet contemplating a 5-0 Ashes series whitewash over Australia.
Holders England lead 2-0 going into the third Test at Old Trafford, which begins on Thursday, after edging the first Test at Trent Bridge and then dominating Australia at Lord's. "It (5-0) is not something we are really focusing on," said Anderson, 31.
"After a close finish at Trent Bridge, England's 347-run victory at Lord's exposed the huge gulf in class between the teams.
"The challenge to Alastair Cook and his team now is to go for broke, because if they keep their foot firmly on the gas there is every chance they could pull off England's first 5-0 whitewash over the Aussies.
"For several members of this team, a clean sweep would represent some sort of payback. Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and James Anderson all played in the humiliating 5-0 defeat down under in 2006-07 and will be determined not to let this opportunity slip through their fingers."
"We played really well in the first two games. Our job is to improve on that."
England are aiming to retain the Ashes after winning the last contest 3-1 down under in 2010-11, their third victory in the past four series.
England have won eight of the nine series in which they have taken a 2-0 lead, but they have never earned a 5-0 whitewash over Australia.
"We are very conscious of not getting ahead of ourselves," added Lancashire's Anderson, who needs six wickets to pass Bob Willis's 325 and become England's
second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time.
"We have to concentrate on winning this game and not looking too far ahead in the series."
Anderson will be playing on home soil during the third Test, with Old Trafford the home of his county side Lancashire.
"I am very excited about it. I have not played an Ashes Test here before," he said.
"The ground looks amazing, the redevelopments have made huge improvements and come Thursday it will be an incredible atmosphere and something we are all looking forward to.
"The whole region is cricket-mad and to get an Ashes Test back is a huge thing for the area."
Holders England lead 2-0 going into the third Test at Old Trafford, which begins on Thursday, after edging the first Test at Trent Bridge and then dominating Australia at Lord's. "It (5-0) is not something we are really focusing on," said Anderson, 31.
"After a close finish at Trent Bridge, England's 347-run victory at Lord's exposed the huge gulf in class between the teams.
"The challenge to Alastair Cook and his team now is to go for broke, because if they keep their foot firmly on the gas there is every chance they could pull off England's first 5-0 whitewash over the Aussies.
"For several members of this team, a clean sweep would represent some sort of payback. Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and James Anderson all played in the humiliating 5-0 defeat down under in 2006-07 and will be determined not to let this opportunity slip through their fingers."
"We played really well in the first two games. Our job is to improve on that."
England are aiming to retain the Ashes after winning the last contest 3-1 down under in 2010-11, their third victory in the past four series.
England have won eight of the nine series in which they have taken a 2-0 lead, but they have never earned a 5-0 whitewash over Australia.
"We are very conscious of not getting ahead of ourselves," added Lancashire's Anderson, who needs six wickets to pass Bob Willis's 325 and become England's
second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time.
"We have to concentrate on winning this game and not looking too far ahead in the series."
Anderson will be playing on home soil during the third Test, with Old Trafford the home of his county side Lancashire.
"I am very excited about it. I have not played an Ashes Test here before," he said.
"The ground looks amazing, the redevelopments have made huge improvements and come Thursday it will be an incredible atmosphere and something we are all looking forward to.
"The whole region is cricket-mad and to get an Ashes Test back is a huge thing for the area."
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