You can't afford to take your foot off the accelerator

"To have our noses in front for most of the game, it's been a really pleasing start for us," he commented.

"Saying that, it was exactly the same in the last Ashes series, we won the first Test there easily and things went wrong from there on.

"We've got to look at the areas we played well in this game and carry those on to Adelaide."

Ponting was named man of the match for his 196 in Australia's first innings total of 602-9 declared.

But he chose to praise veterans Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer for their contributions - McGrath taking 6-50 in England's first innings and Langer scoring 82 and 100 not out.

"What a fantastic job Glenn did, his bowling in that first innings was absolutely superb.

606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts at the end of the first Test

"He had his knockers leading in to this Test match and I know he was keen to prove them wrong but more importantly he was keen to put in a good performance for the team.

"With champion players like him, you know you're going to get that week in and week out," said Ponting.

"Justin Langer was exactly the same coming into this Test, there was a bit said about him as well, but as he always does he put his hand up and got the job done for the team."

Ponting was able to lead his team in the field as they sealed victory after having to sit out most of day four because a back spasm.

And he dismissed any concerns about his fitness ahead of the second Test, which starts in Adelaide on Friday, saying: I had a lot of treatment and a few pain-killers and anti-inflammatories to get back out there but I'll be fine."

Stuart Clark celebrates after finishing England off at the Gabba

Ponting was unimpressed by suggestions that England's performance in the game was the result of going into it under-prepared.

Several of his own players had been involved in the Champions Trophy final in India less than three weeks before the start of the Test and he added: "If anyone was going to be under-cooked, it would have been us.

"I don't think they can use that as an excuse. From the moment this game started we got the momentum going our way and they found it hard to get it back in their favour."

Cricket Australia later announced five-day record crowds for the Gabba of 164,747, 77% up on the previous best of the previous best of 93,143 set during the famous 1932-33 Bodyline series.

"Ashes fever truly gripped Brisbane this week," said chief executive James Sutherland.

"The good-humoured majority showed you can have a few beers, sing along, cheer for your team, get involved in banter and have a great day without crossing the boundary into unacceptable behaviour.