Australia has relinquished the Ashes to England after losing the fifth and deciding cricket test at The Oval, London overnight.

With the series locked at one all, the Aussies needed only a draw to retain the urn after their five nil series whitewash of the Poms in Australia, 2006.

Ponting now has the unwanted record of becoming only the second Australia captain - and first since Billy Murdoch way back in 1890 - to lose two Ashes series in England.

Naturally, the critics have already begun the blame game with Ponting and Deputy Vice Captain Mike Hussey wearing the brunt of it all.

Ponting has been heavily criticised in the past for his poor captaincy, which was highlighted in the recent tour of India in which Australia lost comprehensively.

However it has been his decisions in the current tour of England that has seen him in hot water yet again.

Firstly, he chose to go into the final test without a spinner, despite the fact Nathan Hauritz has averaged five wickets a test match this series.

Secondly, his decision to drop teen sensation Phillip Hughes for Shane Watson after only two test matches disrupted the team chemistry and has raised question marks over the future plans for the opening batting position.

Other factors such as Ponting’s erratic bowling changes and persistence with struggling batsmen have also been come under scrutiny.

One of those struggling batsmen include Western Australian Mike Hussey, who continued to be selected despite averaging under 30 in the past two years.

In his own words, Ponting said he was disappointed with his performance as a player and as a captain throughout this Ashes series.

“I’ve never doubted myself on anything I’ve ever done when I’ve had the baggy green cap on,” Ponting said.

“I always get out there and accept challenges the best that I can. I wanted to make a hundred today, to be the last man out.

“I couldn’t do that. As a leader and a captain I wanted to do as well as I possibly could and hopefully be the captain that won here.

“But I haven’t been able to do that either. I’m disappointed with my own performances.”

Australia has now slipped to fourth on the overall test nation rankings.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Do you think Ricky Ponting should be replaced as captain of the Australian Cricket side?

Who should be his replacement?

Do you think Mike Hussey should be dropped?

Who should be his replacement?