Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he'd given no thought to resigning despite the disappointment of another Ashes series defeat on English soil.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he'd given no thought to resigning despite the disappointment of another Ashes series defeat on English soil.
England's victory, achieved with more than a day to spare, by the huge margin of 197 runs in the fifth and final Test at the Oval here on Sunday, saw them win the series 2-1.
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And it gave Ponting the unwanted record of becoming only the second Australia captain - and first since Billy Murdoch way back in 1890 - to lose two Ashes series in England.
"I've never doubted myself on anything I've ever done when I've had the baggy green cap on," said Ponting.
"I always get out there and accept challenges the best that I can. I wanted to make a hundred today (Sunday), to be the last man out.
"I couldn't do that. As a leader and a captain I wanted to do as well as I possibly could and hopefully be the captain that won here.
"But I haven't been able to do that either. I'm disappointed with my own performances," he added.
The 34-year-old Ponting, still one of the world's best batsmen, looked in superb form while making 66 on Sunday before his run-out, courtesy of Andrew Flintoff's direct hit, revived England's push for victory.
In truth, by that stage, Australia had long been up against it after being bowled out for 160 in reply to England's first innings 332 with pace bowler Stuart Broad taking five for 37.
England then consolidated their advantage with a total of 373 for nine declared that featured a century on Test debut from Jonathan Trott.
Australia, having been 217 for two, were bowled out for 348 with off-spinner Graeme Swann taking four for 120 and fast bowler Stephen Harmison three for 54.
Unlike 2005, when they also lost 2-1, this Australia side was without the likes of retired greats Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, as well as Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden.
Defeat at the Oval ensured Australia's third loss in five series and saw them deposed from the top of the world Test rankings and drop down to fourth place, still one spot above England.
But Ponting, having guided much the same side to a series win away to new ranking leaders South Africa earlier this year, said: "I'm comfortable with where we are at.
"We've been rebuilding for 12 to 18 months, the guys who have a few Tests under their belts are still learning about the game.
"There couldn't be a better example for the young guys than the last couple of months. They all should be a lot better off for being part of this series.
"They all should have learned about the conditions, a lot about how one ball, one over, one hour can turn a series. That's what they've learned the most.
"We have to make sure we don't let it slip," said Ponting, whose side were just one wicket away from winning the drawn first Test in Cardiff.
"We're definitely heading in the right direction and I'm really proud of the guys. I think there are a lot of Test wins in this group of players."
Australia dominated this series statistically, boasting three of the four highest scorers and the three leading wicket-takers on either side.
But in the two Tests England won, across London at Lord's and here at the Oval, first innings collapses put Australia on the backfoot
"When we lost a session, it was like the one the other day (at the Oval), we lose eight wickets and blow ourselves out of the water," said Ponting.
"We've given it our best shot. We just haven't quite been good enough."
The Oval pitch was far dustier than the normal batting-friendly pitch associated with the south London ground, but Ponting said: "The wicket didn't have a huge effect.
"We batted better when it was really bad than we did when it was okay. We had our chance in the first innings."
Ponting, something of a pantomime villain figure for many English fans, was given a generous reception at the Oval
"Freddie (Flintoff) said when I went out, he thought I'd hired a PR company for this week to get a few supporters on my side. It was nice to get an ovation."
But Ponting said he may not have played his last Test at the Oval.
"It would be nice, with everything I've done in my career and the games I've played, to have some good memories from this ground. I might have to come back next time and find some."
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