Skipper Ponting hails 'amazing' victory

Australia's one-day captain Ricky Ponting says his team's confidence can only have been boosted by their stunning 10-wicket win over England in the first VB series final at the SCG.

"To walk off the field and have the game won inside 13 overs was amazing," Ponting told Sky Sports. "The beginning of the innings set the tone. There was a little bit in the wicket. It bounced around and swung, which is unusual, but the three fast bowlers did a good job, Warney (Shane Warne) did a good job and the fielding was top notch.

"We've done well in one of the two innings of a game over the last few weeks but today we put it all together and it is really pleasing. We've been below our best lately but we've put it together today and you can only get your confidence up from playing games like today."

England's captain Nasser Hussain admitted that England will need to improve massively if they are to avoid humiliation in the finals, the second of which is at Melbourne on Saturday.

"It was a terrible day at the office," Hussain said. "We were completely outplayed - they played exceptionally well. The wicket seemed to do a little early on. There was definitely some bounce and we struggled and lost wickets regularly.

"Then when they came out in that situation they had licence. The press will say 12 overs but the game was gone by then. They got confidence and you have licence when chasing a score like that, but it was difficult early on.

"We've just got to get the embarrassment factor out of our system. To play in front of a full crowd and lose like that was embarrassing. Not many in the team had a good game and everyone needs to look at their own performances to see where they can improve."

Meanwhile Shane Warne was delighted to end his last one-day spell at he SCG in the best possible style - with the wicket of Paul Collingwood from his last ball.

"It's always nice when you win," Warne enthused. "It was my last one-day international in Sydney which has been a special place in both forms of the game. It was my first game back so I was a bit nervous and apprehensive but I'm happy to be back.

On today's evidence, Warne's last bow in home one-day internationals will be at his home ground, the MCG, on Saturday.

"It will definitely be my last one-day in Australia - if we win," Warne added. "It'd be great to finish off in Melbourne and to walk off after a victory would be perfect."

Brett Lee, who began England's demise with the early wickets of their two openers, admitted they were crucial breakthroughs.

"All the bowlers did a great job but it was good to get a couple of early wickets," said Lee, who took three for 29.

"Consistency-wise I'm probably bowling my fastest, but that comes down to rhythm because I'm not trying to bowl fast. The target was to get early breakthroughs but to have them four for 30 was great."