FORGET the make-up of the next Government, the state of English cricket is of far more pressing concern.

The collapse of the side that was the number one Test team in the world to the current shambolic situation inside a few years is akin to the middle-order collapse that saw England’s batsman put the team in an unwinnable position against the West Indies last weekend.

It is not just an overnight transformation but it is worrying how quickly a side that won three Ashes series in a row between 2009 and 2013 now finds itself in this situation.

Even more concerning, though, is the fact things may get worse before they start to get better.

It is not just on the field where the situation is worsening – off it there is so much criticism even those who used to be on the same side are now seemingly trying to run each other out.

Geoff Boycott – never one to shy away from having his say – has angered stars of more recent years with his attack on the current crop.

But while the Yorkshireman may be outspoken, can anyone really disagree with his sentiments?

He is only so passionate because he loves the game and wants to see England at the top again and that is what we all want.

However, there have to be big changes at the top before that can happen.

Cricket has often been labelled an old boys’ club, akin to how the Football Association used to be run.

First we need selectors and an ECB director of cricket who is not too close to the current team and that is why Andrew Strauss – fine cricketer and ambassador as he was – is the wrong choice for me.

It’s a bit like when football clubs turn to assistant managers to step in and take the reins – when they have to turn from good cop to bad cop with the players overnight, they find it hard.

Strauss would be in that boat, particularly as far as the future of captain Alastair Cook is concerned. Would he really have the gumption to axe one of his biggest allies?

Remember when the Kevin Pietersen furore first reared its head? Cook was Strauss’s biggest supporter when the decision to axe Pietersen was made.

And we have never really recovered as a team since that mess.

There are some good young players out there like Joe Root and Lancashire’s Jos Buttler but they need leadership.

And while Cook reminded us of his batting ability in Barbados with a first century in two years, I still think his time as captain should be over.

We need strong leadership at the top of the ECB and on the field – particularly with the Aussies over later this summer to defend their Ashes.

I agree with ‘Sir’ Geoffrey – Strauss and Cook are not the answer.

Views from the sports desk

CRAIG NELSON: Playing in the shadow of Messi and Ronaldo

FACING Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo must be a daunting task but maybe not as fearsome as playing alongside them.

Ask the likes of Luis Suarez and Neymar at Barcelona and James Rodrigues and Gareth Bale at Real Madrid.

Bale, especially, seems to be struggling to measure up at the Bernabeu as the Welsh wizard's every touch is compared to his more illustrious team-mate, Ronaldo.

And spare a thought for Neymar and Suarez following Messi's messianic display against Bayern.

All these attackers were put on a pedestal at their previous clubs but are finding it difficult to get out of the shadow cast by the Spanish giants' brightest stars.

NEIL BONNAR: Bolton League plans would provide agony and ecstasy

THERE is going to be an interesting meeting at Tonge Cricket Club on Monday when the future of the Bolton Cricket League could begin a seismic change.

Clubs will discuss whether they want to expand the league from 14 to 24 clubs and have the one thing they have never had before – promotion and relegation.

Everything I hear suggests two divisions is widely supported by players.

And so it should be. Sport is about the ecstasy of success and the agony of failure and nothing gives you that quite like promotion and relegation.

ROBERT KELLY: Davies and Jansen keep football season going

WANDERERS’ season may be over and done with but how refreshing it would be to see former striker Kevin Davies take to the play-off stage at Wembley.

His Preston side will play either Swindon or Sheffield United in the League One final is they can see off Chesterfield in the semis.

Matt Jansen, another former Bolton front-man, is also for honours, with Garry Flitcroft’s assistant hoping to help guide Chorley into the Vanarama Conference Premier. They play Guiseley at Victory Park in the play-off final on Saturday, kick off 3pm.