Australia captain Ricky Ponting [Images] says he will refuse to be made into a scapegoat if his side lose the Ashes.

Ponting was asked by reporters whether he feared for his job if the world champions failed to retain the Ashes by winning the fifth and final Test against England [Images] at The Oval which starts on Thursday.

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it," he said. "Maybe, but I don't know what anyone else is thinking.

"I would hate to think if we lost this series it is only my fault, all coming back to me," Ponting added.

"I have never been one who has sat back and taken all the accolades when the team has gone well.

"I think it would be unfair if it was my fault we lose this Ashes series."

Australia have held the Ashes for the past eight series. A draw at The Oval will mean England regaining them for the first time since 1986-87.

Ponting's leadership has been criticised in comparison with that of England captain Michael Vaughan [Images]. He also lost his composure and was fined for a furious outburst after being dismissed in the fourth Test.

BATTED WELL

"Around the team I would have thought I have done most things right along the way," said Australia's captain.

"Maybe I haven't scored as many runs as I would have liked but at different times I think I have batted quite well.

"The plans have all been there but whether it is my fault we haven't been able to execute them, I am not sure.

"At the end of the day, it is all of us. We are all responsible for the way we have played."

Ponting hit 156, Australia's only century of the series, to help save the third Test and heads his side's batting averages.

But England have still dominated the last three Tests, winning two of them.

"I am the captain but I am not batting for everyone in the side and I am not bowling for everyone," said Ponting. "I am trying to point guys in the right direction.

"I am doing the best I can and I am sure the other guys are trying their best as well, we just haven't put it together yet."

Coach John Buchanan has also been criticised by the media.

Ponting was asked if Buchanan, whose contract is about to run out, retained the support of the players.

"Most definitely," he said. "It is not absolute panic stations for us as far as all our personnel and coaching staff are concerned.

"If we happen to win this last Test match then I am sure a lot of the stuff we are talking about here right now will be forgotten."

VICTORY PARADE

Ponting has admitted making an error in putting England in to bat after winning the toss in the second Test at Edgbaston. Vaughan's side won there before going 2-1 up in the series.

He also conceded he might have set overly defensive fields at times but argued: "You are going on what you think is right at the time.

"I am not a great one at looking back and analysing previous Test matches and previous innings and trying to pick up what I have done well and what I haven't."

Asked about England's plans to stage a victory parade if they regained the Ashes, he said: "The cricket we have all witnessed has been absolutely sensational...it has been a long time since England have held the Ashes.

"If they happen to do that, they can go ahead and do whatever they like.

"It has probably been some of the best Test matches I have ever played in. Regardless of the result, they have been great fun to play in," said Ponting.

"If we walk away with a 2-2 result, then I think this whole series will have to go down as one of the best series ever played.

"If we lose this Test, then I am sure I will have a different view on it."