Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes his team's ability to dig in and
fight was the decisive factor in winning back the Ashes.
They turned a potential loss into an an amazing victory in Adelaide and a 206-run
win in Perth sealed the series.
Ponting said: "What this team has been great at doing
in the last month is digging in and fighting.
"It's a huge occasion for me and the team. To win the
Ashes back the way we have done is unbelievable."
Ponting said the whole team had been hurt by the defeat in
England 15 months ago and were determined to regain the Ashes at the
earliest opportunity.
"Losing the Ashes in 2005 was one of the lowlights of
my career but right now is one of the more special times," said Ponting.
We deserve it, we've earned it and we wanted it badly after 2005
Australia's Shane Warne
And he suggested England had played better then the 3-0 scoreline
suggested.
"England played a very good Test match at Adelaide and
I knew we would have to be at our best to win here," he said.
"I didn't want anyone thinking any further ahead and to the players credit
they did not mention winning the Ashes during the game but I'm sure it will
be mentioned a few times tonight.
"Adelaide was the most amazing win I've been involved
in, to turn the game around like we did.
"We dominated this game a lot more than Adelaide and I'll
be remembering this game for a long time to come.
Congratulations Australia, you deserve the win. I'm sorry
we haven't put up more of a show because we are certainly capable of doing so
"We had to work really hard yesterday and found it difficult
getting wickets but we got a couple of late breakthroughs which gave us momentum
going into today.
"But even today we didn't have it all our own way and had to fight early
on."
Leg spinner Shane Warne, who took his Test total to 699, revealed
his delight at recapturing the Ashes at the first attempt.
"It's fantastic to be honest, the side deserved this,"
said Warne, who took 4-115 in England's second innings.
"It hurt in 2005 and we knew we had to be ready. This side can do special
things and we were ready right from day one. It's a pretty good feeling.
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
Michael Hussey
"It was all about being ready. We knew how England would
play and it was all about execution.
"England have come out fighting, as we new they would.
We deserve it, we've earned it and we wanted it badly after 2005."
Batsman Michael Hussey, who did not feature in 2005 but has
enjoyed a fine series, was thrilled to be part of the winning side.
Hussey was named man of the match in Perth after scoring 103
and an unbeaten 74.
He said: "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."
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