'There Are No Excuses'

Andrew Flintoff said Australia's fighting spirit was the key to them regaining the Ashes. "Obviously 3-0 down with three Tests played is not ideal," said Flintoff after today's defeat. "We played well in some of the Test but Australia have not allowed us to come back. We tried to apply pressure but every time we tried to do that Australia came back hard at us. We've had some good performances but it has not quite come off for us. It's not been through lack of trying.

Flintoff was also quick to deny that England had been underprepared for the defence of the urn. "I think we prepared well," he added. "Most of the lads were in India for four to five weeks. The lads were happy, there are no excuses on that front. Australia hit us hard and we didn't come back from it."

Ricky Ponting has been in unstoppable form for Australia throughout the series, and paid tribute to the way his side had come back from defeat in 2005: "We had a long time to think about it and get ready for the series," said Ponting. "After losing the last one we have to go back and look at ourselves. We had to try to find ways to improve and I think we did that. I think this has been second to none. Adelaide was the best win I've been involved with and we will remember this win for a long time. We had to work really hard yesterday. That's why this team has been so good, really digging in and fighting.

"I wasn't hurting more than anyone else [after 2005]. We sat down and worked things out and the boys played well. It was one of the lowlights of my career but this is one of the special times. It is a huge occasion to win the Ashes back.

And Ponting also promised that his side would be going for an Ashes whitewash, saying: "It's elation as far as I'm concerned. Relief may come after the last Test but we've won three Tests and won back the Ashes. We've got two Test matches to play and obviously I want to see another couple of performances from the boys."

Veteran paceman Glenn McGrath also praised the way his side had bounced back from 2005. "We sat down [last year] and said England played well and deserved to win," he said. "We came back. I think the Ashes are now back where they belong. The team when we have lost have always bounced back. The team is great in that respect and learn from when we have lost."

Meanwhile, England coach Duncan Fletcher, perhaps looking for a positive side to what has been a punishing three Tests for his team, emphasised England's comparative youth. "I felt in these three games we did compete," said Fletcher. "Adelaide was close and we competed in this Test. We did have a team to compete but it is a very youthful side. We had a few opportunities but we didn't grab them, Australia with their experience did."

Fletcher has come under criticism for his omission of Monty Panesar in the first two Tests, and he alluded to that controversy today, adding: "Selection is very difficult and always judged in hindsight. Beforehand people say it is difficult and afterwards they say it was a simple decision. It is always difficult. Selection is the hardest part of cricket and it is not easy. I have had criticisms on numerous occasions and as long as there are more ups than downs, that is the main thing."

Mike Hussey, playing in his first Ashes series, has been one of the stars with the bat for the Aussies, but he said the victory was a team effort: "It is going to take a long time to wipe the smile off the face. I'm really proud to be part of such an Australian team. It's everyone's achievement, not one or two of the guys."