England captain Nasser Hussain maintained on Saturday his team had deserved better than to lose by five runs in the second final of the one-day series against Australia.

England lost their last four wickets for eight runs in the final three overs to be dismissed for 224 in 49.3 overs chasing Australia's 229 for seven. The home team won the best-of-three finals series 2-0 after thrashing England by 10 wickets in Sydney on Thursday.

"This game, we deserved something better really," Hussain said. "I was very proud of my team today, after everything they've been through."

"I believe looking in each player's eyes, every ball of today they were desperate to get to that third final. For 90 per cent of the game, we played better than Australia. But in the key areas, they bowled well and batted well.

"The last five or 10 overs were crucial in both innings really and obviously Brett Lee (5-30) bowled brilliantly. He turned the game around in the end."

Hussain, who suffered a bruised thumb during the match, said his team could look forward with confidence to next month's World Cup in southern Africa.

"We can beat Australia, definitely. We were one over away from beating Australia today, so we won't be going into that World Cup game thinking we can't beat them," he said.

Hussain said the return of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff from a groin injury was a good sign for the team, although Flintoff showed some rustiness with 16 runs and figures of 1-56.

FOND MEMORIES

"With the likes of Freddie (Flintoff) coming in and playing like he did today, it's just gelled us together a little bit," Hussain said.

"Even losing in a funny way will just get us together and show us that we have to work a little bit harder leading up to the World Cup."

England were thrashed 4-1 in the Test series and have lost their past 13 one-day internationals against Australia. The tourists also suffered a string of injuries and players returning home for treatment, but Hussain still said he would leave the country with fond memories.

"It was the greatest challenge I've had, definitely and I enjoyed it. If it wasn't good enough, it wasn't good enough. Maybe I slightly failed and let people down."

Opposing captain Ricky Ponting was naturally pleased with Australia's win, although the home side have several injury concerns. The World Cup champions ruled out Shane Watson with a back strain on Saturday and added Ian Harvey to the squad for next month's tournament while batsman Michael Bevan is in doubt with a groin strain. Bevan limped through an attempted quick single and retired hurt on 10, leaving the field on a stretcher.

"We've just got to keep our fingers crossed. Hopefully it's just a two-week injury," Ponting said.