Sir Ian Botham calls England's rotation policy 'absolute garbage'; comments on batting unit's problems

Ex-England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen already criticised the rotation policy.

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 04 Jul, 2021

England cricket team received a lot of flack for adopting to the rotation policy during the World Test Championship (WTC) tournament. As part of the policy, England rotated several key players for important assignments including the tour of India earlier this year.

Captain Joe Root, however, with two big series approaching – against India and later the Ashes against Australia – has indicated that England is doing away with the policy.

However, England cricketer Sir Ian Botham said that the damage might already be done. He is not a fan of this policy, in particular, and did not mince words as he launched a scathing attack on the national cricket team.

I am not sure we are picking the right players. Rotation, I think, is the biggest load of b******s of all time. Absolute garbage. I tell you what, I would like to have seen someone say to me when I was playing "well done, but you’re having a rest next game" Err, no I’m not. Bowl, get fit and stay fit by bowling,Botham wrote in The Daily Mail.

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England lost to India 1-3 in Tests in India and failed to make it to the final of the WTC. They also lost the two-match Test series 0-1 against New Zealand.

Botham then weighed in on the England batting unit as he feels it’s a big worry considering they didn’t go for the win when 273 runs were required to win on Day 5 of the first Test match against New Zealand.

I think our batting is a big worry. Last month, England had a great opportunity at Lord’s when they were given the opportunity of a last-day run chase against New Zealand. People had been waiting for months and months to see live sport and to go out and bat like that in the final innings with no intent was appalling,” the 65-year-old said.

The next assignment for the English team is a five-match Test series against touring India slated to begin from 4 August.

(With The Daily Mail Inputs)

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 04 Jul, 2021

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