England's Ashes-winning captain Andrew Strauss thanked Andrew Flintoff for one final "moment of inspiration" to ensure the urn returned home.

It was Flintoff who made a telling impact in the field – running out Ricky Ponting with a direct hit, just when it seemed the Australia captain was mounting a fightback.

The ultimate outcome was a 197-run victory at the Oval which sealed a 2-1 npower series success as England regained the Ashes.

But even in pursuit of a world record 546, Australia's hopes had somehow become less forlorn as Ponting and ex-Gloucestershire batsman Michael Hussey (121) took their third-wicket stand to 127.

"It was that stage in the game. The ball was old, didn't look like it was doing much for anyone; Ponting and Hussey were playing exceptionally well – and we needed a moment of inspiration," Strauss said.

"We weren't quite sure where it was going to come from. But you can't keep 'Fred' out of the game, and that was an unbelievable bit of fielding which set us in motion again."

England must get by without Flintoff from now on as they plan to build on their Ashes success.

"All the injuries and operations – it's for moments like this. What a way to go," Flintoff said as he reflected on his glorious finale before injury-enforced retirement.

England's victory came on the back of five first-innings wickets from Flintoff's all-round heir apparent Stuart Broad, as well as a debut hundred from Jonathan Trott.

Along with Strauss' man-of-the-series haul of 474, there have been many other reasons to cheer for England this summer.

But Flintoff may not celebrate quite so hard this time as he famously did four years ago – especially since he is booked in for a knee operation on Tuesday. "I've not had quite as much to drink yet," he joked.

"We went through so many emotions today – frustration, worry, despair at times when it didn't look like we were going to take a wicket," the England captain admitted.

"But to finish it off like we did, it's an amazing day."

England and Australia have been hugely inconsistent in a fluctuating series, never more so than when the hosts lost the fourth Test by an innings and 80 runs.

"This seemed a long way off after Headingley – and the guys had to dig very, very deep," added Strauss.

"They've come out fighting, and it's a special moment for all of us."

Opposite number Ponting, meanwhile, is developing a strong dislike for the Oval - having twice had to accept the role of losing captain there.

He said: "I don't think you can get any more disappointed that I am right now. For me, the leader, the captain, the most experienced player, it's difficult to accept.

"But we couldn't have done anything else – we have given ourselves the best opportunity.

"It's just a couple of really bad sessions during the course of five Tests which have cost us the series."

If there was a consolation for Ponting, it was that after a summer of unseemly booing the home crowd finally showed their appreciation – in what could turn out to be his final Test against England in this country.