Stuart Broad says the incentive to become the first England team to win four consecutive Ashes series is all the motivation he needs.
Alastair Cook leads his side Down Under later this month as they bid to retain the urn they won for the third time in a row earlier this year following a 3-0 win over Australia.
The scoreline did not reflect how evenly matched the teams were this summer, however, and Australia are likely to pose even more of a threat on home soil.
But bowling all-rounder Broad, who has been part of England’s triumphs in 2009, 2010/11 and 2013, believes the tourists will be equal to the challenge and is relishing the chance to make history in the coming months.
“We have an opportunity to be the first England team to ever win four in a row which is a huge motivation for us, we’re really focused on that,” Broad told the Press Association.
“We have a bit of down time now to get mentally fresh but stay in physical nick and then when we get there we’ll be able to hit the ground running.
“We know Australia will be a tough place to tour, it always is, they’re tough cricketers, but we’re very focused on making sure we get our jobs right.”
The first Test gets under way on November 21 in Brisbane, less than three months since the final match on English soil concluded.
With such a short turnaround, there are likely to be simmering tensions that will carry over into the following series.
Broad is likely to receive his fair share of flak from the players and crowds alike following his now infamous decision to stand his ground at Trent Bridge despite a thick edge going off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s gloves and to Michael Clarke at slip.
The 27-year-old received criticism from all quarters, with Australia coach Darren Lehmann later accusing Broad of “blatant cheating” and urging Australian cricket fans to make sure the bowler “cries and goes home” – comments he has since apologised for.
Broad, however, expects to be in for a rough ride in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney – the five Ashes venues.
“I think any English cricketer that steps onto Australian shores, especially when you’re beating them, is going to get an interesting reception but that’s part and parcel of elite sport, you have to deal with that,” he added.
“We’re fortunate in cricket we don’t get hostile receptions too often but you look at Premier League stars they get it every weekend so it’s something we’ll have to deal with but something that will excite the players as well.”