Australia go into unchartered territory when they begin the fifth Test against England needing to win to save the Ashes - but not necessarily to save captain Ricky Ponting's job.

Only victory at The Oval for Australia - who are boosted by the return of fast bowler Glenn McGrath after an elbow injury - will extend their hold on the old urn for a ninth successive series.

Anything less, however, should not result in drastic actions, according to Ponting, who inherited the captaincy from Steve Waugh at the beginning of 2004.

The Australian sports-loving public will no doubt call for a raft of changes should they fail in their quest but Ponting suggests his position should be fireproof and some of his senior counsel spared.

"We set very high standards of ourselves and if we happen to lose this series I am sure we will cop a bit of a hammering," said Ponting. "Maybe we should.

"I would not like to think my position is under threat.

"I am the first one to admit when I make mistakes, I always have been.

"I could have done things slightly different at times but Michael Vaughan will probably say the same thing and they are in a winning situation right now.

"We all share responsibility for where we are, I know as captain I will take a bit more, that is what it's all about in any sporting team.

"A few of the senior players might be playing their last Ashes series in England, that within itself will be enough motivation for them.

"I would not like to think anyone is playing for their career in this game."

Ponting has already addressed his colleagues about the severity of the situation but urged them to draw on previous experience in their bid to overturn their poor form.

"Our stats so far in this series are not great, that would indicate England have had us under pressure," Ponting declared. "That is not the first time this has happened in our careers and that is something I have stressed to the players all week.

"The batsmen have made close to 100 Test centuries between them and you can't tell me we have not been under pressure at different times for every one of those.

"Now it is a question of doing it on the big stage when it really counts."

Australia will retain their tag as number ones in the world no matter what happens in south London, although England paceman Simon Jones' absence may allow them the chance to showcase their brand of attacking cricket with more freedom.

"We have to play the brand and style of cricket that has made us successful over a long period of time," said Ponting. "It just hasn't come out in us yet but everyone will be trying their best to make sure this last week is a positive one for Australia.

"It is a matter of being able to execute our plans better and for a longer period of time - that is what Test cricket is all about - we have got a certain style of play that has made the best team in the world for a number of years and we have not been able to do that so far in this series.

"We have to start well and play somewhere near our best with energy and enthusiasm for five days.

"The lesson we have learnt is we have to be spot on from the first ball and if we are not we are giving too big a start to a pretty good team."

McGrath's return in place of Michael Kasprowicz is the only scheduled change to the Australia team.

With the 35-year-old in their side, Australia win two out of three Test matches compared to a success ratio of less than one in every two when he is not and Ponting hailed his ability to function in a dual role.

"It is a very positive sign for us," said Ponting. "He almost plays as two bowlers in our team.

"He is the main strike bowler up front with the new ball and and at the same time you can call on him to bowl some tight overs later.

"He is a vital part of our side and someone who has done well for us over the years, especially in big games and this is what this has been built up to be."

McGrath, whose 513 victims at the top level include 131 Englishmen, was ominously brief when he said: "It's business as usual."