Assessing the Future for Key England Players' Careers After Ashes Loss

The departure of Graeme Swann from England's Ashes squad has added to the feeling that an era is ending in English cricket. 

With England 3-0 down in the series with two matches still to play, Bleacher Report has analysed the futures of a number of key England players in light of Swann's retirement. 

Click 'Begin Slideshow' to read more. 

Alastair Cook

Will Russell/Getty Images

Throughout this series Cook has cast a gaunt and ghostly figure, and although there have been glimpses of his usual concentration and focus at the crease, the difference between this Alastair Cook and the Alastair Cook of the 2010/11 Ashes series has been stark.

However, his future in the team and as captain of the Test side remains totally secure. The only change to Cook’s duties may be that he relinquishes the 50-over captaincy, but even that is unlikely for an England management disinclined to knee-jerk reactions.

Jonathan Trott

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The future for Trott is impossible to decipher. We cannot assume, presume or guess at anything under these circumstances. He needs time with his family away from cricket.

Kevin Pietersen

Paul Kane/Getty Images

The calls for Pietersen’s head have predictably been the loudest. Pietersen has forever been a divisive player and the struggles of England, although Pietersen himself has not fared any worse than his team mates, have unsurprisingly led to some harsh and severe reactions from some corners of the media. 

The fact of the matter is Pietersen remains one of the most talented cricketers not only in England but in the world. His ability to win matches singlehandedly is a skill that may not be replicated for generations. Runs of course should be the barometer of a player's case for selection, but Pietersen has fared no worse than Cook, Trott, Michael Carberry or Joe Root of late, and in fact better than Matt Prior, yet it is Pietersen who has attracted the most vitriol. 

He, however, can rest safe in the knowledge that the England management are far more aware of his unique abilities than most fans and journalists. He needs runs, as do most of England’s batsmen, but his position in the side is not yet under threat. 

Matt Prior

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Prior is perhaps the most vulnerable of England’s so-called backbone. He has scored just 107 runs at an average of 17.93 in this Ashes series, and has averaged only 17.68 since the tour of New Zealand in the spring. His keeping is also suffering, with a number of catches dropped and stumpings missed in this series and in the English summer. The rate of his decline has been staggering having been named England’s Player of the Year in May. 

That he has survived so long in this series is perhaps testament to his experience and vocal nature behind the stumps, both attributes that are highly valued in harrowing and long tours such as these. However, his time may be running out, and some suspect Jonny Bairstow will be named as wicketkeeper for the fourth Test. If he isn’t then Prior probably has, at best, four innings to save his career.

James Anderson

After Prior, the next biggest worry is the form of Anderson who has also experienced a staggering drop off in returns. Since the Trent Bridge Ashes Test where Anderson took a heroic 10-fer, he has averaged an amazing 47.47 and taken just 19 wickets in 273 overs.

He has not bowled terribly in this Ashes series however, but has looked very jaded. He certainly hasn't been helped by the struggles of Graeme Swann and the third seamer, nor England’s efforts with the bat.

It would be surprising were Anderson not to come back from this drop-off in form, especially when back in more bowler-friendly conditions in England, but these are worrying times.