England face an overhaul after Ashes disaster - but they already possess the most important characteristic of them all

NICK HOWSON: At regular intervals this summer the group have called on their powers of durability. It is a trait which should be cherished

The Ashes are gone. Australia are destined for a first series win in England for 18 years. The great summer of cricket has been tarnished.

Following years of neglect, the Test team is badly in need of a root and branch review. Some areas require minor adjusting, others significant reconstruction.

Those are the grim realities emanating from a series against the old enemy where there have been few positives for Joe Root's team. The cold light of day will see some hard truths surface and the weeks and months to come will not be pretty.

But bar a couple of individuals, there is at least one aspect of this summer which Ashley Giles, Ed Smith and Root must ensure is protected, bottled-up, harnessed and built-on.

VISIT THE ASHES HUB

England regularly got themselves into a mess in this series. Indeed, even against Ireland they looked a ragged side, fighting against their instincts. Australia opened up those wounds and exposed some players whose concentration has been elsewhere, and others who are out of depth altogether.

There has been at least one constant theme which has run through both the Test and white-ball squads this summer.

During a World Cup campaign which looked on the brink of disaster, the final against New Zealand and the Tests at Headingley and Old Trafford, England showed an enormous amount of courage. It might be the one area they have edged Australia.

When the coroner is finished carving up the corpse of this England Ashes campaign, how many currently-existing pieces will remain to take forward to New Zealand, South Africa and beyond?

^{England battled hard at Old Trafford but were unable to save the game}

However, while technique and discipline might require work, bravery and mental fortitude appears to run through this entire group. Those aforementioned skills will come, but developing a backbone is not something which is as easily formed.

It is certainly a good starting point for a squad where there are seemingly very few redeeming features.

"You find yourself in a position like today and you learn a lot about your team, a lot about the guys around you," said Root in the immediate aftermath of the 182-run defeat to Australia at Old Trafford.

"I thought everyone showed a lot of resilience, a lot of character and everyone should be really proud of how we approached today."

^{Eoin Morgan's World Cup winners also possessed plenty of character}

One of the major criticisms of Root's tenure as England captain is how the team lack an identity and a philosophy. And while this might be true, they arguably possess something far more important. An intangible spirit and a team willing to carry out acts of valour in the search of a solution.

Of course, England cannot continue to call on such a trait in every Test. The over-reliance on that characteristic has led to them allowing Australia to keep hold of the urn. It might have worked at Headingley but Manchester was one step too far.

So as we consider what this Test side requires to resolve its glaring deficiencies, there is at least one glowing feature to draw on. And there are few better.