London 21 Aug : Famous England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has issued an unsettling warning to Ben Stokes’ Test side following their defeat in the first innings against South Africa, saying they aren’t likely to have any chance of winning the Ashes next year at home if they put the same performance against Australia.In one of the most vicious attack on England’s home team following their innings and the 12-run loss at Lord’s in the first Test against Dean Elgar’s South Africa, the former opener claimed that South Africa had totally diminished England after their streak of four consecutive wins in the Test series against New Zealand and India.
England was unable to compete with the ferocious speed of Kagiso Rabada or Anrich Nortje.The pair achieved figures for matches of 7/79 and 6/110, respectively and Boycott thought that with the Australian seam attack featuring of such players as of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, it would be difficult for the hosts to win the Ashes.
“The how our batsmen faced off with the South Africa pace attack does not bode positively for the Ashes next year in England.In the last three Ashes series — one at in the home region and two awayAustralia’s quicks have taken us off the board,” Boycott wrote in his column for the Telegraph.
“So don’t tell us that we will defeat Australia next year, if we play the same way against South Africa at Lord’s.I observe people’s hands and feet when they have to face fast bowling.
I don’t pay attention to what players or coaches speak about.
“Talk isn’t expensive, but runs win games.When you are watching England face fast bowling , you aren’t likely to rise and prepare the perfect coffee of tea or have a pee because before you get back, they’ll be out.There’s no better way to watch the vile violent fast bowling, mixed with the occasional throat ball that causes batsmen to jump around and pushes them out of their comfortable zone.It takes courage, a good technique and a strategy to get through,” he added.
“Anyone who believes that our batsmen or any batsmen, for that matter, could consistently throw top-quality fast bowlers when they have a brand new ball in their hands is not a player in Test cricket, and is speaking about nonsense.
The idea of attacking Kagiso Rabada Lungi Ngidi or Anrich Nortje at speeds of over 90mph with a brand new conker while it was bouncing all over the field in the opening innings was insane.Simply staying in was a struggle for the majority of the batsmen.”
Boycott said that England was a failure in adapting to new conditions.
“Surely England have to adapt to the conditions, the performance of the bowling or the conditions of the game.Heck this England team isn’t even a great batting team and yet they are expected to take the top bowlers.”
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