Andrew Strauss is today backed to keep a cool head in the latest crisis to hit England's cricket team

All eyes will be on the new skipper as his team head towards Antigua for Friday's Second Test still reeling from their humiliation at Sabina Park, where they were routed for 51 as they lost to to the West Indies by an innings and 23 runs.

"He will be devastated by the way things have gone because he obviously takes a great deal of pride in being captain," said Angus Fraser, the former England fast bowler who was Strauss's team-mate at Middlesex and is now the county's head of cricket.

"To see the side fall away as they did doesn't put the captain in great light because it didn't suggest there was a huge amount of fight there. But he is philosophical and has a perspective on life. Strauss is not going to start ranting and raving. I imagine he will sit down and talk it though with each of the players individually and I think his cool head will help the situation. But he's got quite a lot of work on his hands, that's for sure."

Many people believe this England are a team in name only, with divisions remaining as a result of the Kevin Pietersen-Peter Moores saga. But assistant coach Andy Flower insists there is no lack of unity.

"The group we have got work very well together," said Flower, who is effectively the No1 coach in the Caribbean without the title. "If you get 25 people in an office you are going to have the odd ruction.

"The same goes in a sports team. As far as there being disunity in the camp, it's simply not true."

The decision not to name a replacement for deposed coach Moores on this trip has led to suggestions the team has no direction. But Flower insists: "I am in charge of discipline and organisation. Yes, my title is assistant coach but I coordinate all that stuff, so the buck stops with me on the playing front."

West Indies' emphatic win has not saved batsman Xavier Marshall, as he today paid the price for his second-ball duck against England. He will be replaced by Lendl Simmons, who scored 282 for West Indies A against England in a tour match in St. Kitts.