Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist means no disrespect when he says regaining the Ashes from England is not the be all and end all for the Australian cricket team.
Australia stands poised to win back the Ashes urn in the third test at Perth, but Gilchrist suggested on Tuesday that that achievement alone might not satisfy the team's collective high standards.
Gilchrist made it clear that the series victory made imminent by Australia's wins in the first two tests was not the team's only goal.
"We're getting closer to achieving a goal we've set ourselves, which may not just be winning the Ashes," he said.
"The Ashes are not the be all and end all to this group," he said. "That's not disrespecting what we're trying to achieve and what we lost last year- that still is very much on the agenda. But there are other things around and different things we're trying to achieve."
Gilchrist refused to be pinned down on Australia's team goals, brushing off suggestions that a 5-0 series whitewash was in its sights.
"There are results and trophies and opportunities hopefully to celebrate, like we did the other day, but it's not all about that," he said.
Individual milestones play a part in motivating an Australian team already replete, if not satiated, with success.
{{/usCountry}}Individual milestones play a part in motivating an Australian team already replete, if not satiated, with success.
{{/usCountry}}Gilchrist said one of the most extraordinary of all those milestones might be achieved in Perth if leg-spinner Shane Warne, poised on 694 test wicets, becomes the first man to reach the unscaled peak of 700.
Warne took only one wicket in the first innings of the second test at Adelaide but took four in an outstanding second innings performance to bowl England to defeat.
"There was a bit of a negative outlook on what he did in the first innings (in Adelaide) but that came from a lot of thoughts within the team to keep England and particularly (Kevin) Pietersen in check," Gilchrist said.
"He did the work and took the blows to his ego and was at his absolute brilliant best in the second innings. The view from behind was fantastic. That is why I play the game."