(MENAFN- Kora) England endured a nightmare trip to Australia, surrendering the coveted urn following a series whitewash
But Swann, who ended his career midway through the series after 60 Tests and 255 wickets, is confident his former Test team-mates can return to the form that saw them top the rankings when they host Sri Lanka and India starting in May
"No team goes from being a good team to a bad team overnight," Swann said
"England had a poor winter, but they've still got a lot of talent and I believe this summer they will play some great cricket and people will start seeing that this winter was just coming up against a strong opponent who just didn't give an inch
"The upcoming Test matches against India and Sri Lanka are quite important for England. They need to make sure that they win those series first and foremost in conditions that should suit them
"They need to be batting well, bowling well and playing with a lot of confidence.
England's capitulation came at a cost, with head coach Andy Flower and experienced batsman Kevin Pietersen among those leaving
Several high-profile coaches have been linked with the England vacancy, though Swann believes Ashley Giles or Director of Cricket at Nottinghamshire Mick Newell should fill the void
"I'd like to see either Ashley Giles carry on, he's sort of the intermediate coach at the moment," he said. "I think he'd do a good job
"Or Mick Newell, who's my coach at Nottinghamshire for nine years, he's an exceptional man manager and knows cricket inside out and I think he'd do a great job.
Swann was also a surprise casualty of the disastrous tour, calling time on his international career after England lost the third Test in December
The 34-year-old's decision to walk away from the team midway through the series generated plenty of controversy but he admits he just was not bowling well enough to continue
"I think for any sportsman the moment they realise they need to retire is a moment of clarity," Swann said
"For me, I just realised I couldn't bowl how I used to anymore. I just couldn't put the spin I used to on the ball. As a result, I wasn't good enough to be in the team. So it was a very easy decision
"It's not a nice decision because you are saying goodbye to the life that you've grown up and come to love. It's normally, when your body stopped doing what you want it to do, it's an easy decision.
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