shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Sports News > Cricket News > Article > Boycott blasts England batsmen after Day 3 collapse

Boycott blasts England batsmen after Day 3 collapse

Updated on: 08 December,2013 02:20 AM IST  | 
PA Sport |

Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott has criticised the application of the national team's current batsmen after yet another devastating collapse against Australia.

Boycott blasts England batsmen after Day 3 collapse

Boycott believes too many batsmen are culpable of taking a limited-overs mindset into the Test arena, and accused the tail-enders of having no “bottle”.


Geoffrey Boycott
Geoffrey Boycott


“I think the modern young player grows up with so much one-day cricket, he gets used to playing and having to play lots of attacking shots to every ball bowled in Twenty20 and 50-over cricket,” Boycott told Radio 5 Live.

“When it comes to Test matches you want them to change and adapt, and sometimes play carefully and sensibly. It’s a five-day match, it’s like playing chess.

“Chess doesn’t happen in 10-15 minutes, it goes on for hours. They’ve forgotten the art of that, they’ve never really learned it and one-day cricket has sucked them in to playing lots of shots.”


Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen after being dismissed for 4 on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen and Joe Root came were singled out for criticism from Boycott.u00a0Pietersen senselessly clipped Peter Siddle to midwicket after Joe Root had struck the first ball he faced from Nathan Lyon to deep square-leg to expose the lower middle-order to Johnson. Of Pietersen Boycott said: “Irresponsible.

I could see it coming. He got out twice like that in Brisbane. They didn’t give him anything to hit for 12 balls — he got two outside edges only — and what does he do, he can’t resist from whipping, not even off his legs, from off-stump to two men waiting for it in the box.

“It was as stupid as you get like Joe Root. First ball from a spinner — we’re trying to save the game — he tries to slog him over the top. All he had to do was carry on batting all day long.”u00a0

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK