Ponting 'angry and disappointed'

Ricky Ponting expects some hard questions from the selectors as they finalise their World Cup squad in the wake of Australia's first home tri-series finals loss in 14 years. England's incredible turnaround to win the CB Series 2-0 has pulled the rug out from under Australia, who have only a three-game Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in New Zealand to regain some momentum before they leave for the Caribbean next month.

Ponting, who will now rest his sore back and will not take part in the New Zealand tour, said he could not pinpoint why Australia's form fell away. "It's a very poor way to finish what has been a tremendous summer for the team and Australian cricket," he told The Australian.

"I don't really have any explanation as to why we have played the way we have in the last couple of games. I'm really angry and disappointed with the way we let the game slip away on Friday and even today I thought that total was really gettable. Maybe this is the kick up the backside we needed."

Australia's big guns did not fire in response to England's 246, with Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke and Ponting himself all failing to reach double-figures. But Ponting said his team would try not to get bogged down in the unexpected loss and would focus on their World Cup defence, which begins with a match against Scotland on March 14.

"As far as our World Cup preparations are going at the moment, I don't think this really changes too much," Ponting said. "I am sure the selectors will be asking a few more questions of me about the team tomorrow morning with regards to selection for the World Cup squad but I guess that is to be expected when you have a couple of bad performances in a row."