Legendary England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has issued a stern warning to the visiting team, urging them to abandon their reckless approach and play smarter cricket if they hope to level the Ashes series in Australia. This comes after a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the first Test at Perth, which wrapped up in just two days, leaving England trailing 0-1 in the five-match contest.
The Perth Collapse: A Story of Wasted Wickets
The opening Test was a disaster for England, primarily due to catastrophic batting failures. In their first innings, they lost a staggering five wickets for just 12 runs. They repeated the calamity in the second innings, collapsing again and losing four wickets for a mere 11 runs. These dramatic collapses handed Australia a dominant victory and exposed the fragility of England's much-hyped aggressive 'Bazball' philosophy in tough overseas conditions.
Boycott's Advice: Use Your Brains, Not Just Brawn
In his column for The Daily Telegraph, the 85-year-old former opener, who has won Ashes series both in England and Australia, called for a more calculated strategy. He directly addressed Test captain Ben Stokes's role in the team's mindset.
"But it doesn't help our chances of success if Ben Stokes keeps encouraging our batsmen to attack, attack with one finger hovering over the self-destruct button," Boycott wrote. He clarified that he isn't asking the players to become negative, but to apply situational awareness.
"Nobody is asking the players to stop being positive because they have given us some marvellous, thrilling and entertaining cricket. All we ask is for them to use their brains and realise there are times when they should throttle back and be aware of situations and bat accordingly," he added.
Stokes's 'Has-Beens' Remark and the Road to Redemption
Boycott also touched upon Stokes's recent apology for calling critical former players "has-beens." The veteran cricketer found the remark disrespectful, noting that some of those critics were part of historic Ashes-winning teams in Australia—a feat the current squad has yet to achieve.
"I am glad Ben has half apologised, saying it was a slip of the tongue, because none of this team have won the Ashes in Australia," Boycott stated. He offered a simple path to silencing critics: "Get the job done, because then you don't need to say anything and you can bask in all the glory coming your way."
The pressure is now immense on the English side as they head to Brisbane for the crucial day/night second Test, which begins on Thursday. England are seeking their first Test victory on Australian soil in 17 attempts, a dismal run that dates back to their triumphant 2010/11 tour. Boycott's message is clear: victory at the Gabba will require thought, patience, and intelligence, not just relentless attack.
