Ponting's enjoyed the trip

The 34-year-old spent most of the summer playing the role of pantomime villain with the English crowds, who were at one point during Australia's 2-1 Test series defeat asked by the ECB to stop booing him. For his part Ponting never complained about the treatment dished out to him and, after flying home for two weeks at the start of the one-day series, returned to earn some portion of consolation as his side crushed England 6-1.

"This has been if not the most enjoyable then one of the most enjoyable tours I've been on - and we lost the (Test) series as well," he said.

"I've enjoyed it from the start until the last ball was bowled. There was a lot made of the booing stuff that took place early on - that wasn't a big deal as far as I was concerned.

"I enjoyed the contest that was on the field with England through the Ashes series and I've enjoyed the games I've played here through the one-dayers.

"It's a great country to play cricket in, there's other things you can go out and do outside of the cricket time as well around England which adds a little bit to the tour so I've enjoyed it immensely."

Australia hopes of a whitewash were scuppered by a career-best day for England off-spinner Graeme Swann who claimed five for 28 as the tourists were bowled out for 176.

Ponting top-scored with 53, the 68th ODI half-century of a decorated career that earned a further honour on Sunday when he surpassed former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq's 11,739 one-day runs to become the third-highest runscorer of all-time in the 50-over game.

"I didn't know that (he went passed Inzamam). Who am I chasing now?" said Ponting who now only trails Sachin Tendulkar (16,895 runs) and Sanath Jayasuriya (13,343) in the list, albeit by some margin.

"It'd be nice if those two blokes retired. I didn't know that but I guess it's a nice thing to have behind you. Hopefully I have a few more runs to make in the next few weeks (at the Champions Trophy)."