Ashes 2009: England wins back Ashes

Oval Test: England wins back Ashes after win in Last test
Many see Andrew Strauss as the key man in England's Ashes victory but the victorious captain was quick to pay tribute to the entire team today at The Oval.

"We had to work so hard for it today," Strauss said. "These things never come easy. It's been hard work by the XI on the field and the backroom staff as well. It's a massive moment and I'm determined to enjoy it."

England looked to be heading to an easy victory after setting Australia a huge victory target yesterday but the tourists dug in this morning and Strauss admitted his belief wavered occasionally. "At times I didn't think we were going to get there but that makes it more special," he added.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was struggling to come to terms with losing the Ashes at The Oval for the second time in four years. "We're all disappointed, obviously, and I guess for me as the captain of the side it's even more disappointing," he said. "It's probably fair to say I've had a few disappointing times here. It's probably not my favourite ground in the world."

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The pitch was seen by many as contributing to England's victory after Strauss won the toss and elected to bat and Ponting admitted he was unimpressed by the state of the wicket. "It was a a poor wicket – I'm not blaming the wicket – but it was a poor Test match wicket. But both sides had the same. The difference in this game was our first-innings batting."

Ponting also conceded it had been a mistake not to select Australia's spinner, Nathan Hauritz, in a Test where the ball turned sharply. "In hindsight, no [the decision to leave out Hauritz was incorrect], but I don't think anybody saw that happening," he added. "I think England would have played two spinners if they had."

Stuart Broad bowled superbly in Australia's first innings and Ponting singled the Nottinghamshire player out for praise. "I think Broad's last couple of games have been pretty impressive," he said. "He's stood up probably when his position was in a bit of jeopardy as well."

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