His career has hit a low with the second Ashes defeat on English soil, but Australian skipper Ricky Ponting remained defiant and hinted at coming back for the 2013 series to make amends for the twin debacles.
Ponting became only the second Australian captain to lose twice in England -- 2005 and this year -- since Billy Murdoch, who lost in 1884 and 1890.
Ponting, who would be 38 by the 2013 series, wants to use the defeats as inspirations.
"Yep, it certainly does (make me want to return)," Ponting told reporters after the 197-run defeat in the fifth and decisive Test on Sunday at The Oval.
"We'll see how I'm going in four years. Hopefully there will be another chance to play another Ashes series back in Australia.
"But it would be nice, with everything I've done in my career and the games I've played, to have some good memories from this ground (The Oval). I might have to come back next time and find some," he added.
The right-hander, who is Australia's leading Test run-getter, will take a one-week break from international cricket before returning in the later half of the seven-match one-day series against England later this month.
Ponting said he was preparing to answer some tough questions on his return home.
"I'll be answering some questions (when I get home). You always do when you lose a game or a series like this, it's part of the job, what leaders are expected to do," he said.
"But I've never doubted myself in anything I've ever done when I've had the baggy green cap on. I always get out there and accept challenges the best that I can," he added.
Ponting refused to blame anyone in particular for the defeat, saying as captain, it was his responsibility to get the best out of his team.
"Ultimately it's my responsibility to get the best out of the guys and to win the series. I felt I ticked most of those boxes, other than making a few more runs myself," he said.
Ponting said the Australian team is still rebuilding after retirements by greats like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
"We've been rebuilding for 12 to 18 months, the guys who have a few Tests under their belts are still learning about the game.
"There couldn't be a better example for the young guys than the last couple of months. They all should be a lot better off for being part of this series," he said.
Heckled by fans almost the entire series, Ponting said he was happy to get some applause in the final Test.
"Freddie (Flintoff) said when I went out, he thought I'd hired a PR company for this week to get a few supporters on my side. It was nice to get an ovation."
