After a humiliating Ashes whitewash and a tour that lurched from bad to worse, England appear to be a cricket team in disarray.

There are issues over form, selection and leadership but amongst the wreckage, the Daily Echo has sifted out three crumbs of comfort.

BEN STOKES Team-mates, media and the general public must be careful not to thrust the hopes of a nation on the Durham all-rounder, who is too early in his development to shoulder such a burden. But there is no denying he has emerged from this torturous tour in major credit. Having come to Australia as one for the future, he leaves as the anointed heir to Andrew Flintoff and Sir Ian Botham, having struck a fine maiden century and a maiden Test five-for. Team director Andy Flower - presuming he remains in position - must surely build his next side around the burly Cumbrian and hope his progress continues.

AUSTRALIAN AGE It may appear a trifle desperate to be seeking solace in the opposition's birth certificates, but it is almost certain England will never face this Australia side again. The Baggy Greens will defend the urn in England in 2015, by which time they could be a much changed unit. New-ball nemesis Mitchell Johnson is 32 and unlikely to be bowling with the same pace and venom, Michael Clarke (32), Shane Watson (32) and Ryan Harris (34) are all medium-term fitness concerns and Brad Haddin's Indian summer will surely not last to his 38th year.

HOME COMFORTS England's schedule in Tests between now and the 2015 Ashes is a relatively forgiving one and could allow for a period of rebuilding and recovery. First up in the domestic summer are Sri Lanka, who did not appear to relish the bracing English conditions when they last visited these shores and will arrive as underdogs regardless of events Down Under. A five-match series against India follows and recent history favours Cook and company here too. The Indians have lost home and away in their last two match-ups with England and their much-changed top order - now without Tendulkar, Dravid et al - are unproven on these pitches. The vagaries of the Future Tours Programme mean there is no tricky overseas tour in the first part of the winter, leaving only a spring trip to West Indies and two home Tests against lowly New Zealand before Australia return.