Ponting has now taken part in five winning Ashes series

Australia won the first three Tests to regain the Ashes, and have won 14 out of 15 overall since their loss in 2005.

"There are 11 guys in the team, or 13 in the squad, and it's very harsh to blame the coach and captain," he said.

"They haven't played anywhere near as well as they'd liked but we haven't given them the opportunity to."

Ponting is only too well aware of the emotions that Fletcher and Flintoff are experiencing, as it is only 15 months since he became the first Australia captain for 19 years to lose an Ashes series.

606: DEBATE I'm not surprised Ponting is defending the England hierarchy, they've made it too easy for the Aussies AA 606: Have your say

"I know as a leader, as a captain of a side, that when you lose a lot of the flak will come back on you," he said.

Ponting, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, has responded magnificently with the bat in the current series, making over 500 runs in his first six innings, including two big centuries.

"It has been a wonderful four weeks for the side and we are pleased with the results so far," he said.