Waugh targets series whitewash

Australian Steve Waugh's ruthless approach to cricket is almost certain to net him another milestone in the fifth Test in Sydney and sink the West Indies further into turmoil.  

Waugh's team is targeting their 15th consecutive Test win and a first ever whitewash of the West Indies when the series finale gets underway on Tuesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With a 4-0 lead in the five-Test series, the Australians are hot favourites to achieve both goals against the embattled tourists.

Waugh has guided the Australians to 13 of their world record 14 successive wins on this sequence and, with 15 wins from 20 Tests to date as skipper, he is the most successful captain in international cricket.

Extending Australia's winning stretch and completing the first sweep of a comparable series since its 5-0 whitewash of South Africa in 1931-32, will only enhance Waugh's reputation as Australia's greatest skipper.

Waugh said his success come down to attitude, adding that the tactics employed by some other captains were negative and not good for cricket.

"I don't know any other side who looks like they're going out there for a win from ball one," Waugh said.

"Their approach is unless they're safe, they won't go for a win."

Waugh said cricket captains should not strive simply not to lose a match but had "a responsibility to go out there and play for wins".

He added: "We try and score 300 runs in a day if we can - you do that and you are going to win most Test matches.

"You've got to have the players as well, of course ... but I still think if you don't try you are never going to achieve anything."