Ricky Ponting believes the introduction of across-the-board third-umpire referrals will benefit cricket for years to come.

The Ashes is the last series likely to be played without the International Cricket Council's referral system.

After trialling the policy of consulting television umpires whenever a team felt they had a case against the decision made on the pitch, the ICC decided not to continue in this summer's Ashes.

There had been problems with the innovation - notably in England's series defeat against West Indies in the Caribbean last winter.

But Ponting, having seen his Australia side lose out on a number of questionable decisions, is glad the system will now be used long term.

"I think it will be definitely a good thing for the game," he said.

"Any time you can get more correct decisions in the game, then that's what you're after.

"When you have Test series as close and as evenly matched as this, you don't want a decision here and there being the difference in a series - although I'm not saying that was the case here.

"We just need to be sure it is done in the right way, with the right amount of money to get the cameras in the right places."

Yesterday Ponting was run out by a direct hit from Andrew Flintoff and following his dismissal Mike Hussey led Australia's attempt to save the match.

Hussey departed after a brave 121 and Ponting said: "Mike played beautifully. You could see in his eyes in the morning that he was really up for the challenge.

"To see him stand up and make that hundred in difficult conditions when the team needed him most and when he needed it most, he showed just how much of a class player."