Ricky Ponting suggested the toss had all but decided the first one-dayer between England and Australia at Headingley on Thursday.
Asked about the significance of the toss after his side had slumped to a nine-wicket defeat, the Australia captain said: "It would have been a nice one to win.
"You know coming here to Headingley that if there's a lot of cloud cover there's going to be some movement (of the ball) on offer," Ponting told a news conference.
"They were definitely contrasting conditions. It seemed like Headingley under the clouds for the first innings, then like Adelaide in the second."
The world champions were restricted to 219 for seven after being put in to bat. Marcus Trescothick then scored a century as the England team reached the target with four overs to spare.
The Yorkshire venue was shrouded in cloud for the morning before the sun broke through in the second innings.
Ponting said he was happy with his team's total although "conditions changed dramatically.
"It was incredibly hard batting in the morning, with the ball going all over the shop."
GILLESPIE DILEMMA
Ponting was unhappy with Jason Gillespie's form, the paceman conceded 66 runs off 10 overs on Thursday, and said he would talk to him before deciding whether to rest him.
"He's a guy we have been able to rely on, with his line and length. I don't know if it's about his technique or about confidence."
Winning captain Michael Vaughan, who made 59 not out and put on 120 for the second wicket with Trescothick, said: "I think the toss was quite important.
"The wicket probably calmed down but you still have to go out and get the runs."
Australia and England will meet again at Lord's on Sunday, with the third and final match being staged at The Oval on Tuesday before the teams go into a five-test Ashes series.
England have recorded three wins against Australia since the tourists arrived, in two one-dayers and a Twenty20 match, while Australia have won once.
The teams tied a triangular series final at Lord's on Saturday.
