Joe Root in the firing line after calamity in Caribbean – what next for England?

England are returning home from the West Indies nursing another bruising series defeat after a 10-wicket loss in the deciding Test.

Here, the PA news agency assesses where the England side stand after a troubled winter of touring.

Winning in the Caribbean has never been a simple proposition, with England only doing so once since 1968. But every time since their last success in 2004 they have travelled with lofty expectations and this time was no different. Put simply, the tourists believed they had enough quality to course-correct after the Ashes. Two draws and a dreadful performance in the decider represents a poor return for their month away. In the wider context of one Test victory in 17 attempts, it rather looks like this is a side that has forgotten how to win and that spells trouble.

Root rode out the storm after the Ashes, with the axe falling elsewhere as Chris Silverwood, Graham Thorpe and Ashley Giles all lost senior roles behind the scenes. But defeat in his first attempt at rebooting the team means he has had to face a fresh round of scrutiny. Root has been in the role for five years and has led his country 64 times – a national record. He has reiterated his hunger to stay in post and lead the revival but he may soon lose control of that narrative. A new director of cricket and head coach are both being recruited and a fresh start on the field could be their preference.

Ben Stokes is the only glaringly obvious alternative. He is Root’s vice-captain, has led the team in Test cricket and ODIs before and is a player that inspires the whole dressing room. But the picture is muddier than it looks. He has publicly distanced himself from the full-time role in the past, is fiercely loyal to Root and already carries a