Cricket: Don't heap all the blame on me, says Ponting

Ricky Ponting deflects the criticism of himself and coach John Buchanan. "At the end of the day, it is all of us. We are all responsible for the way we have played." Picture / Reuters

LONDON - Australian captain Ricky Ponting says he will refuse to be the scapegoat if his side lose the Ashes.

Ponting was asked yesterday whether he feared for his job if the world champions failed to retain the Ashes by winning the fifth and final test against England at the Oval which starts tonight.

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it," Ponting said.

"Maybe, but I don't know what anyone else is thinking.

"I would hate to think if we lost this series it is only my fault, all coming back to me.

"I have never been one who has sat back and taken all the accolades when the team has gone well.

"And I think it would be unfair if it was my fault we lose this Ashes series."

Australia have held the Ashes for the past eight series. A draw at the Oval will mean England regaining them for the first time since 1986-87.

Ponting's leadership has been criticised in comparison with that of his England counterpart Michael Vaughan.

He also lost his composure and was fined for a furious outburst after being dismissed in the fourth test.

"Around the team I would have thought I have done most things right along the way," Ponting said. "Maybe I haven't scored as many runs as I would have liked, but at different times I think I have batted quite well.

"The plans have all been there, but whether it is my fault we haven't been able to execute them, I am not sure.

"At the end of the day, it is all of us. We are all responsible for the way we have played.

"I am the captain, but I am not batting for everyone in the side and I am not bowling for everyone," Ponting said. "I am trying to point guys in the right direction.

"I am doing the best I can and I am sure the other guys are trying their best as well, we just haven't put it together yet."

Coach John Buchanan has also been criticised by the media.

Ponting was asked if Buchanan, whose contract is about to run out, retained the support of the players.

"Most definitely," he said. "It is not absolute panic stations for us as far as all our personnel and coaching staff are concerned.

"If we happen to win this last test match then I am sure a lot of the stuff we are talking about here right now will be forgotten."

Ponting has admitted making an error in putting England in to bat after winning the toss in the second test at Edgbaston. Vaughan's side won there before going 2-1 up in the series.

He also conceded he might have set overly defensive fields at times, but argued: "You are going on what you think is right at the time."

Asked about England's plans to stage a victory parade if they regained the Ashes, Ponting said: "The cricket we have all witnessed has been absolutely sensational ... it has been a long time since England have held the Ashes.

"They can go ahead and do whatever they like.

"If we walk away with a 2-2 result, then I think it will have to go down as one of the best series ever played.

"If we lose this test, then I am sure I will have a different view on it."

Meanwhile, Australian paceman Glenn McGrath must today prove he has recovered well from a marathon bowling stint in the nets.

McGrath showed he could still bowl at sharp pace and with good bounce, despite his injured right elbow, with an hour of bowling - over two spells - at training yesterday. Provided he pulls up well he will be given the all-clear to lead Australia's attack.

McGrath's fitness will determine the composition of the bowling attack Australia deploy.

If he plays, he will be one of four bowlers used, while if he does not recover Australia are likely to play a five-man bowling attack and drop a batsman.

While the news looks good for Australia, England's injury concern could not have come at a worse stage.

Fast bowler Simon Jones has been ruled out with a right ankle injury, the home side's first casualty of the series.

Jones, who took 18 wickets at an average of 21 in the first four tests, might now have surgery to get his ankle right for England's coming tour of Pakistan.

England chief medical officer Peter Gregory said Jones did everything he could to earn a berth in an attempt to prove his fitness.

"Unfortunately, however, he reported pain and discomfort in the ankle after a light jogging session at Lord's and was subsequently ruled out of the test match," Gregory said.

England must decide whether to replace Jones with paceman James Anderson or allrounder Paul Collingwood.

The weather could play a vital factor, with rain forecast on the second and third days.

England v Australia

* Played: 310, Australia won 126, England won 97, drawn 87.

* Played in England: 150, Australia won 46, England won 43, drawn 61.

* Played at the Oval: 33, England won 15, Australia won 6, drawn 12.

* Last time at the Oval: Australia won by an innings and 25 runs, 2001.

* Ashes series played: 61, Australia won 30, England won 25, drawn 6.

* Ashes series deciders (where Ashes result down to final test). Played: 18, England won 11, Australia won 3, drawn 4.

* Last series decider: England won by an innings and 94 runs at the Oval and took series 3-1 in 1985.

* Ashes series deciders played at the Oval: 7, England won 5, Australia won 2.

* Weather forecast: Mild first day, rain second and third days.

- AGENCIES