First ODI (v Aus) Reaction: Rashid's Breakthrough

Australia won by 4 runs.

The England run chase fell just short - with Ryan Sidebottom needing to hit his first international six off the last ball to win - after Australia posted a patiently constructed 260 for 5.

The tourists' "risk-free approach", as Derek Pringle described it in The Telegraph, was akin to the mindset of the England batsmen in the last World Cup - careful accumulation by the top-order, setting a platform for middle-order big hitters. Unlike with England in the Caribbean two years ago, it worked - just - with Ferguson's 71 not out providing the necessary impetus.

England approached their innings in similarly slow fashion - largely due to Bopara's 49 from 88 balls, which, in the circumstances is forgivable; ten innings against Australia in all forms of the game (prior to today's match) with a highest score of 35 is mental block territory. The half century remains illusive, but if his 49 at a strike-rate of 55.68 is enough to spark him into action for the rest of the series, then it will be worth it.

Despite going 1-0 down in the series, England have reasons to be encouraged with six matches still to play:

• Strauss won the toss yet again - and chose to chase, a recurring theme in England's recent limited-overs strategy. They were always slipping slightly behind the run-rate today, but in general seem a more contented batting unit when chasing, rather than setting, a score.
• Luke Wright (38 from 27) has found his ideal position at six, having flirted with seven and eight in the past. Today he came in during the 37th over, which is ideal, but England shouldn't be afraid to move him up if the match situation requires it. His game is maturing after a good season at Sussex - scoring successive Championship hundreds, bowling more overs and taking more wickets. England's Albie Morkel.
• Adil Rashid. Wicketless, but bowled beautifully. Only England bowler to bowl ten overs, with best economy rate of 3.70. Also demonstrated one-day savvy batting (much improved since the World T20), dragging England to within an inch of the line with 31 from 23.

Ashes Regained!

Unbelievable. England have won the 2009 Ashes, 2-1, following victory at the Oval by 197 runs. At 5:49, in the early evening light, a Graeme Swann delivery flicked off the bat and pad of Mike Hussey and nestled in the hands of Alastair Cook. Now the Ashes are back in English hands.

The cricket may not have quite matched the quality of 2005, but the scenes from the Oval today and the winning feeling are every bit as good. 2005 banished two decades of hurt, now 2009 has all but banished painful memories of the whitewash down under in 06-07.

This was a fantastic effort by the England team. To bounce back from off-pitch chaos and disappointing defeat in the Caribbean at the start of the year - not to mention on-pitch chaos and disappointing defeat only two weeks ago at Headingley - represents a remarkable achievement.

An Ashes win is the pinnacle of an England cricketer's career. Strauss and his men have deservedly triumphed after two months of the most hard and intense cricket they will ever play. They must make sure that 2009 is the start of something, not, as in 2005, the culmination.

For England, the series was not littered with outstanding individual performances - that can be worked on and improved in the future. What is less easy to manufacture, is character. No worries there; this England team have got it in spades.

Bopara Out, Trott and Panesar In

So Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut in England's most important match for four years. Nothing like a baptism of fire.

Harmison and Sidebottom are also included, so the decisions left to be made now concern the composition of the bowling line-up.

The selectors are closer to the action than we are, and have presumably decided that Bopara is mentally shot. Assuming that's the case, he had to step aside, with Key, Trott and Ramprakash all touted as replacements.

All have been in good form. An extra argument for Ramps seemed to be his knowledge of the Oval pitch. Whilst I can see the merit in the odd horses-for-courses selection in the bowling department, it doesn't say much for the talent available to England if they're picking specific batsmen on a renowned flat track. All three should be capable of making runs at the Oval.

Key would have been my choice given his Test experience, favourable temperament and the crucial fact that he could slot in at three without any fuss. The main problem with Trott's inclusion is it will push Bell up to three, where he averages 31 with no hundreds. Still, there wasn't much in it, and Trott seems capable of making the mental step up. Good luck to him.

Now to the bowling. Surrey manager Chris Adams suggests playing two spinners, and there would be a nice symmetry to a summer beginning and ending with Panesar heroics. But I can't see it happening. It says it all that the Panesar heroics of Cardiff concerned his batting. He's in the team as a spin bowler, but he hasn't taken more than four wickets in a Test in his last ten appearances. He's had a flat season and lacks spark and invention. Cardiff aside, he fails to offer the all-round package of a Swann or Rashid.

I would have included Rashid and seriously considered playing him. Sure, he's unknown at this level, but Panesar being the opposite is his problem - he's become predictable and easy to play. Rashid at least has form with the bat against the Aussies this summer. Then again, so does Panesar. Crazy world.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Bopara?

If there were selection issues before the the innings and 80 runs defeat at Headingley, they've doubled in two and a half days - and that's just the batting. The bowling will become clearer with concrete news about Flintoff's fitness - which looks promising - but for now, here's what the experts would do with the top order at the Oval:

Steve James (The Sunday Telegraph) - No change. Keep Bopara at three and Bell at four. He is against Trott making his debut in such a crucial game - quoting advice that England psychologist Steve Bull gave him before his second Test cap: "Your first Test was for acclimatisation, the second is for performance."

Scyld Berry (The Sunday Telegraph) - Drop Bopara down the order and bring in Ramprakash at three. About Trott he writes: "His being next in line as a middle-order batsman is no commendation of the rest of the field."

David Gower (The Sunday Times) - Axe Bopara and Bell and bring in Key at three and Trott at four. About Robert Key he writes: I like the way he plays and believe he would respond well to the chance to play a part, even if there might be a feeling that it could be a one-off situation."

David Lloyd (The Guardian) - "If Rob Key comes in, I'd move Ravi Bopara down to number four and maybe look at leaving out Ian Bell." He is more clear cut about the bowling, saying Harmison should retain his place and that England must play two spinners.

Graham Thorpe (BBC) - Push Bopara down the order and bring in Key for Bell.

Trott will be given a chance to impress the selectors on Saturday, when he plays for the England Lions against Australia.