Boycott claimed that England players don’t listen to anyone and live in their own bubble.
Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott has launched a scathing attack on the national team for losing the Ashes series opener against Australia at Perth in just two days.
Writing in his column for The Telegraph UK, which was titled “I cannot take this stupid England team seriously anymore,” the 85-year-old claimed that the Ben Stokes-led side don’t listen to anyone and live in their own bubble which has brought about their downfall.
“Before this series started Ben Stokes told the world that any ex-player who criticised them or had a different opinion were “has-beens” because Test cricket had changed and the past was irrelevant. Well, from this has been the message is simple: when you keep throwing away Test matches by doing the same stupid things it is impossible to take you seriously. They never learn, because they never listen to anyone outside their own bubble, because they truly believe their own publicity,” Boycott wrote.
“It is simple. Brainless batting and bowling lost England the match. A 40-run lead on a fast bouncy low scoring pitch was huge and with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope together at one stage England were in charge at effectively 100 for one. But as exciting as this England team can be, they are always only a blink of an eye away from self destruction.
“Bazball, bad judgement, overconfidence, whatever the reason it makes winning matches difficult. Against top teams like India and Australia it is a huge factor in losing,” he added.
After gaining a handy first-innings lead of 40 runs, the Three Lions were comfortably placed at 65/1 in their second essay before Boland triggered a collapse of four wickets in as many overs. He got rid of Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in the space of 11 balls, and then Mitchell Starc dismissed Joe Root two deliveries later. Starc also removed Stokes to complete a 10-wicket match haul.
Despite a vital 50-run stand between debutant Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 164, setting a target of 205 for the hosts to win.
In the chase, the hosts got over the line in just 28.2 overs as Travis Head smashed a breathtaking 123 off 83 balls. The southpaw notched up his three-figure mark off just 69 balls — the fastest ever Ashes century by an opener.
Marnus Labuschagne finished unbeaten on 51, with Steve Smith on two, as Australia won the contest by eight wickets to secure 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The second Ashes Test is scheduled to be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 4.