Opinion: Where do England go from here?

After the 5-0 defeat to Australia over a year ago, there were plenty of questions to be answered. 

English cricket was in a sorry state. Spinner Graeme Swann had retired, Jonathan Trott flew home with stress issues, and that was the end for Kevin Pietersen.

Since then England appointed Peter Moores for his second stint as coach, Trott returned for the series against West Indies and Pietersen released his book revealing some untold truths.

It was made clear that English cricket was to 'take a step forward'. Yet a return for Moores and Trott could hardly be seen as that. 

Before the series in the Caribbean, the ECB (English Cricket Board) chairman, Colin Graves said that there would be enquiries should England not beat a "mediocre" West Indies side. No disrespect to the West Indies but they were without many key players due to IPL committments, and England should have beaten them comfortably.

Many people see the return of Moores as a 'step backwards' and the decision to bring back Trott was questioned when they had Yorkshire's Adam Lyth, who top scored in the County Championship division last year, ready to step up. 

So to open the batting with Trott and not Lyth was quite surprising for many. It proved to be a very bad decision. There has to be credit given to Trott who tried to ressurect his international career following a tough time in his life, but his inability to face a bowling attack that are nowhere near the likes of Australia or South Africa was evident that he should not be opening the batting at this level.

Following the conclusion of that tour, Trott announced his retirement from international cricket. This makes it more frustrating for the England fans and Adam Lyth. Lyth should've been given the chance to show what he can do at this level, so the selectors know whether he would be ready for the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.

If Lyth is to be selected in these upcoming series then the selectors should remember who he is facing. The Yorkshire batsman could be facing two of the best bowling attacks in the world. So if he has poor series, don't write him off. This is why the tour of the Caribbean was the perfect opportunity to see if Lyth was ready for international cricket.

It means Lyth hasn't played competitive cricket for a while, and if he is to be facing the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult in the coming weeks, no-one could be too disappointed if he doesn't get off to a fast start to international cricket.

There is another problem England face and that is they don't have a frontline spinner. Adil Rashid, who travelled with the squad to the Caribbean, didn't feature either. Like Lyth, this was the perfect opportunity for Rashid to show what he can do but England played safe and went with what they knew.

Another problem with the England team is the style of cricket they play. They're a very cautious team who don't like to take too many risks.

Look at Australia for example. You have the likes of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith. Batsmen who aren't afraid of playong their shots. They like to attack the bowlers, they look the heap the pressure on them and then punish them to post a big score.

If they play risky shots and get out, it doesn't bother them, they go in to their next innings and are confident in their own ability to try risky shots again because they play with no fear.

England did have a player with an attackingattitude like Warner and Finch, and that is Kevin Pietersen. The man who was made to be the scapegoat for the embarrising 5-0 series defeat to Australia. Pietersen has an attacking and confident approach to his batting and that is something England lack, but it seems that his return is very unlikely.

The England side, however, take a defensive approach and try and creep their way to a 400+ score. They need to play with the same attitude as the Australians or the South Africans. 

A lot of players do need to step up. You can blame Moores as much as you like, but some players just haven't performed well enough in an England shirt and have to improve. The selectors shouldn't continue to pick players because they've served their country well over the years. You pick players on form.