Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has criticised the Ben Stokes-led Test side for its underwhelming performance this year and has demanded results. In his column in The Telegraph, Boycott touched upon how the English cricket fans needed more from their team.
“England cricket lovers want a winning team that plays positive cricket,” he wrote. Speaking about the importance of results, Boycott talked about how Test cricket should not be taken lightly. “Test match cricket is not an exhibition. If our players start to think that results don’t matter then they might as well join a circus or go around the world like the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team doing tricks, laughing and joking and not bothering who wins so long as everyone has a fun time,” Boycott wrote.
Geoffrey Boycott also voiced how England fans have been disappointed with the nation’s performances in both cricket and football. In his column, the ex-cricketer urged the Ben Stokes-led side to deliver against the West Indies so the fans could celebrate.
READ MORE: ‘Welcome to Wimbledon’: Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik Spotted in London to Watch Some Grand Slam Action
“If you are an England cricket supporter there has not been much to get excited about. On top of that, watching our football team play in the Euros has frustrated you or sent you to sleep. So come on England, lift our spirits, beat the West Indies this week at Lord’s and give us something to cheer about,” he wrote.
Speaking about the style of play, Geoffrey Boycott opined that England had produced several moments of excitement that were mixed with madness. He also talked about how Bazball’s strokeplay has often entertained fans but also played a significant role in England’s loss in the Ashes. He felt that both the squad and management would now ‘temper’ their batting to approach the game more sensibly.
“This newfound Bazball strokeplay has been wonderful at times, but also lost us the Ashes. I hope the coach, captain and players have taken stock and will now temper their batting with some common sense,” he wrote.
Geoffrey Boycott also insisted that Test cricket is not about how many sixes you hit and said that every team needs a Dennis Compton, David Gower or Kevin Pietersen.
READ MORE: Morne Morkel to be India Bowling Coach? BCCI Mulling Over Gautam Gambhir’s Recommendation
“In India last winter, ego and hubris got the better of some of our players. They came out with comments about being entertainers and how it was important to score quickly and thrill the crowds,” Boycott wrote.
The English Test team are currently facing the West Indies in a three-match series. In the Test series opener, England managed to curb the Caribbean side to 121 in the first innings. England pacer Gus Atkinson was in sublime form having registered a seven-wicket haul in the first innings.
After accumulating 371 runs, England bowlers once again did an impressive job by halting the visitors at 79/6 in the first inning at the end of the second day’s play. The series opener, currently being played at the Lord’s, is also legendary English pacer James Anderson’s final Test match.
Comments
0 comment