Ricky Ponting believes his Australian side has shown strong signs of improvement in the lead-up to Saturday's tri-series one-day cricket final against England at Lord's.

The Australians get a final hit-out against Bangladesh on Thursday at Canterbury, but after that the old enemy will be his side's sole focus for the remainder of the Ashes tour.

The Ashes combatants still have four one-dayers and five Test matches to play this northern summer.

Australia won its previous two one-day matches before Tuesday's abandoned match at Edgbaston, which was notable for the clash between Matthew Hayden and England paceman Simon Jones and Damien Martyn standing his ground over what he thought was a contentious catch.

Hayden was also claimed to have sworn at a child who was holding an English flag.

But Ponting denied there were any worries, and said his side's form was pleasing after some early wobbles this tour.

"As far as we're concerned, we've still got a game to try and improve ourselves again on Thursday and then hopefully we're getting close to peaking for the final on Saturday," he said.

"That's what we've been aiming for right the way through this one-day tournament, so everything's headed in the right direction."

Ponting said Australia had not considered resting some key players against Bangladesh, as he wanted his stars to get as much game time as they could before another shot at England.

"We've tried over the last few games to keep the same group of players together and try and create some momentum, and that's part of the reason because the way we started as well," Ponting said.

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