Ramprakash set for the fifth test...

No, this isn't a world exclusive, it is my attempt to come to terms with events since Friday.

I tend to get too emotionally involved in events outside of my control but I enjoy it. So I do it! The are many excuses for the dire Friday morning performance with which the twelfth man could present Messrs Bowden, Rauf and (possibly) Ponting scrawled on a piece of paper during a drinks break in England's first innings. None of them, however, are acceptable. Eleven professional athletes with team a psychologist should not let themselves get into the mire we witnessed. To our disappointment, they did! Only infrequently do I let myself indulge in the notion that people are controlling our destiny but, in this case, it is possible that subversive means have engineered what could be the pinnacle of our sporting summer. 1-1, one to play, England must win, Australia have the "momentum". There is talk of what must change in the England dressing room. Having ruminated and cogitated the issue to quite some extent these 24 hours, I have to think that very little should change. OK, Steve Harmison and Ian Bell seem to have the diametrically opposed effect on the dressing room to the presence of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen and I think the former should be replaced by Ryan Sidebottom. Other than that, I am loathe to change too many players - after all, they are the guys who got England to 1-1 with one to play! Let me know whether you agree:

Strauss - Has to stay
Cook - Never been convinced by him but no alternative, especially considering the ECB's invetment in him
Bopara - Under huge pressure but he has class. OK, he's been nervous, unlucky and sometimes dreadful this series but if you drop him now, you destroy his career. Give him the chance to prove himself, it may be just the motivation he needs
Bell - As a Surrey fan, I love the idea of Mark Ramprakash inspiring England to an Ashes win but think it would be a decision made out of panic. Latest news implies Flintoff will be fit. Bring him in for Bell!
Collingwood - He may have under-performed but he is an experienced pro who is still excellent in the field. He stays!
Prior - Stays without doubt, except his back
Broad - I was having doubts about him prior to the 4th test but his performance (albeit with the bat once pressure was gone on Sunday) illustrates the positive influence of a vote of confidence
Swann - There is need for one spinner at the Oval and his batting is very useful
Anderson - Assuming he is fit, he stays
Harmison - No, no and no. I would love Steve Harmison to be a game changer but his head is all wrong. Needs to be replaced, Sidebottom is the man
Onions - I guess Liam Plunkett would be the only alternative but why? Onions stays

Yep, I know that replacing Bell with Flintoff seems like a bold move. I would move Collingwood up the order to 4th and slot Fred in at 5th. Prior, Broad, Swann, Sidebottom and (to an extent) Anderson can all add useful runs so I have confidence in my selection.

Over to you Messrs Miller, Flower and Strauss. Make the right decision...