Ricky Ponting described the dramatic NatWest Series final as "one of the all-time great one-day matches" as England tied with Australia at Lord's. Aussie skipper Ponting said: "Over the whole series it was probably a fair result. We had got off to a great start with the bat on a tough wicket.
"But Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones produced a great stand to get England back in the game, so credit to them."
Jones hit 71 and took five catches to be ajudged the man of the match.
Afterwards, he said: "Colly and I knew we had to be there at the end to get close to their total, and we took a few risks towards the end, which paid off.
"We knew there was a bit of batting to come after us as well."
Australia's Andrew Symonds, man of the series with 218 runs and six wickets, commented: "Today was a great spectacle to watch from the side and a great game to be involved in.
"It was a fairly friendly bowling surface."
England captain Michael Vaughan was out for a duck at a time when England's batsmen were struggling in the early stages of their reply to Australia's 196.
He said: "It was a pretty nerve-wracking game to play in.
"We were outstanding in the field to restrict them to 196 and we were happy to be chasing 197 to win.
"But I think the tie was the right result."
MMIX
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