Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has slammed the national side for their inability to stop Steve Smith from scoring heavily in the first Ashes 2019 Test, saying the bowlers should be embarrassed at the "Christmas morning" comment by the star Australian batsman.

Boycott wrote in his column for The Telegraph, “He was quoted after Edgbaston saying "it's like Christmas every day batting against England". He is right, but a comment like that should be embarrassing for the England players and should really hurt them.”

The stylish right-hander was the architect of Australia’s massive 251-run win over England in the first Test of the ongoing five-match Test series last week, as he scored 144 and 142 in two innings to demoralize the English bowlers despite the conditions at Edgbaston favoring the home team.

After being adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant show with the bat in Birmingham, Smith said “it’s like Christmas every day batting against England” after Ashes opening Test.

He had said, “I love Test cricket and I love playing against England. It's a terrific place to play Ashes cricket and these last four days, it's felt like Christmas morning every morning coming to do this.”

Meanwhile, Boycott said Smith’s comment should hurt the English bowlers and they must come up with better ideas to get rid of him early in the second Ashes Test at the Lord's starting from Wednesday.

(With The Telegraph Inputs)