Former captain Geoffrey Boycott attacked Ben Stokes and his team, pointing out some of their failings thus far on the tour in Australia, as England’s chances of winning the Ashes were quickly dwindling. England fell behind 0-2 in the five-match series after losing the second Test at The Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday.
Despite squandering a 177-run lead in the first innings, England could only set Australia a target of 64 on Sunday, December 7. The hosts won the game by eight wickets to go 2-0 up in this high-voltage series.
Boycott slammed the England players, calling them “up their own backsides” following a poor performance. The former England captain blasted the current team of talking big but failing to deliver on the field.
“England talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. With this sort of batting and bowling they couldn’t win an egg cup,” Boycott was quoted as saying by India Today.
Boycott also criticized England’s much-publicized long-term strategy under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
“Ben Stokes said England had a blueprint and had been planning this tour for four years. What a load of nonsense. We can’t believe anything they say because they do not want to listen to anyone outside their own camp,” Boycott said.
Boycott was particularly scathing of England’s batting performance, pointing out how a tremendously brilliant batsman like Harry Brook had repeatedly thrown his wicket away to loose strokes. He made a similar exit at The Gabba.
“Here is a guy with talent from heaven but keeps frustrating with brainless, irresponsible strokes. In tight moments he has not helped England win. He bats as if he is only interested in the spectacular,” Boycott stated.
Ollie Pope too faced criticism for giving his wicket. While praising Joe Root for his century in the first innings, Boycott claimed that the former England red-ball skipper chose careless shots under pressure in the second.
