Captain Cook needs to steady England ship or face mutiny

England's captain Alastair Cook (2nd R) and his teammates look on at the presentations after Sri Lanka won the second cricket test match at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, England June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Philip Brown

(Reuters) - English cricket stands at a crossroads and after the latest setback in a turbulent seven-month spell, captain Alastair Cook has done little to suggest he is the right man to lead the side into a new era of success.

During last year's dismal tour Down Under, England were thrashed 5-0 in the Ashes series and followed that up by bowing out of the World Twenty20 at the group stage, culminating with an embarrassing defeat to the Netherlands.