In his scathing column for The Telegraph, Boycott wrote, “England are in danger of reducing the Ashes to an exhibition.England have got carried away with Bazball and seem to think entertaining is more important than winning. But England supporters want one thing more than anything else — to win the Ashes.”
Boycott emphasised that successful ought to take priority over leisure. While acknowledging the attraction of scoring quick runs and hitting boundaries, he confused that the last word objective ought to be to defeat Australia. He said, “Scoring fast runs, whacking lots of fours and sixes is lovely. It is great. But only if England do not lose sight of the big prize which is to beat Australia. If at the end of the series Australia go home with the Ashes we will feel sick, regardless of how much we have been entertained.”
The cricketing legend contended that the importance of the extremely anticipated Ashes sequence would diminish if England doesn’t prioritise victory. Boycott remarked, “If England are not playing to win, then these Ashes Tests are not that important. They are only exhibition matches. They have got it back to front. It is not about entertaining and then winning. It is about winning first.”
“By all means entertain but cricket is like chess. There are moments when you need to defend. Sometimes you need to be patient and accept it. Do not just attack, attack, attack. England need a bit of common sense and pragmatism. That is all that is required. They do not have to change being positive because they are a better side than Australia and will win if they just show that common sense,” he added.
Reflecting on England’s efficiency within the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Boycott identified missed alternatives regardless of England’s general dominance.
“England outplayed Australia in nearly every session at Edgbaston but lost. When they are on top, be ruthless and not sloppy. We kept getting ahead of Australia and then letting them back in by being careless. They are in danger of letting hubris be their downfall … It would be sad if playing exciting cricket for a year is going to their heads. They gave Australia a get out of jail free card. I find that silly,” he mentioned.
Boycott questioned England’s choice to declare their first innings at 393/8, regardless of Joe Root’s unbeaten century, stating that England might have scored extra runs earlier than the pitch deteriorated.
“The rule is to get as many runs as you can when the pitch is good before it deteriorates. England might have scored another 40-50 runs with Root on a hundred and Ollie Robinson, who can bat, but declared to get a wicket.”
Boycott additionally questioned the house batters’ all out method within the second innings.
“When they batted in the second innings they went crazy. England were scoring at five and six an over but for some reason batsmen were trying to score at more than that and got themselves out.
“There had been 5: Ben Duckett, Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali. It was pointless.”
Despite his criticisms, Boycott expressed perception within the expertise and potential of the present England staff. He acknowledged the optimistic influence of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum however warned in opposition to a one-dimensional method. Boycott concluded, “If we’re extra concerned with reward than successful, then now we have it mistaken. I and lots of ex-players suppose this England staff has the beating of those Aussies. But don’t waste that expertise and dedication by letting it go to your head.”
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com