England are in danger of reducing the Ashes to an exhibition: Geoffrey Boycott | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has strongly criticised the current England team, led by Ben Stokes and coached by Brendon McCullum, for getting “carried away with Bazball” and prioritising entertainment over winning. Boycott expressed concern that England’s approach could reduce the Ashes series to a mere exhibition.
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 winning should take precedence over entertainment. While acknowledging the appeal of scoring fast runs and hitting boundaries, he stressed that the ultimate goal should be to defeat Australia. He stated, “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 significance of the highly anticipated Ashes series would diminish if England does not 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 performance in the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Boycott pointed out missed opportunities despite England’s overall 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 said.

Boycott questioned England’s decision to declare their first innings at 393/8, despite Joe Root’s unbeaten century, stating that England could have scored more runs before 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 also questioned the home batters’ all out approach in 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 were five: Ben Duckett, Root, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali. It was unnecessary.”

Despite his criticisms, Boycott expressed belief in the talent and potential of the current England team. He acknowledged the positive impact of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum but warned against a one-dimensional approach. Boycott concluded, “If we are more interested in praise than winning, then we have it wrong. I and many ex-players think this England team has the beating of these Aussies. But do not waste that talent and commitment by letting it go to your head.”
(With inputs from PTI)