5 key talking points ahead of England’s Test series against the West Indies

England’s Test team are desperate to arrest their slide after an Ashes thrashing, with the West Indies standing in their way.

A three-match series in the Caribbean starts in Antigua on Tuesday, with plenty to ponder for the touring side.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the big issues.

Heads rolled after England returned from Australia with their tails between their legs, as head coach Chris Silverwood, assistant Graham Thorpe and director of cricket Ashley Giles all lost their jobs. Questions were asked of Joe Root’s captaincy too, but – with alternatives thin on the ground – he has held on to the reins. Having led the side 61 times, he is already England’s most experienced skipper, but he must now prove he has the desire, drive and nous to lead the rebuild. His move to number three in the order shows he is not shirking the challenge.

Not since Kevin Pietersen was axed has an England squad selection drawn a reaction like the removal of record wicket-taker James Anderson and fellow great Stuart Broad. Neither had been guilty of underperforming on the pitch in Australia but at 39 and 35 respectively, the decision was made to leave them at home. With Ollie Robinson now injured, the seam attack has already lost one more pillar, leaving much on the shoulders of all-rounder Chris Woakes and speed merchant Mark Wood. Craig Overton, who was an unused squad member throughout the Ashes, is also set to take a heavy load. With two interested observers taking notes several thousand miles away, it is a gamble that needs to go well.

Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed both endured dreadful struggles Down Under, paying with their places in a revamped squad. Opening the batting has been a precarious occupation for England since the heady days