Ashes 2019 | England threw away Ashes due to brainless batting, asserts Geoffrey Boycott

Coming into the match in Leeds leading 1-0, Australia were massive underdogs due to the absence of Steve Smith. And it looked like England would justify the favourites tag as they wrapped up the visitor’s first innings for a mere 179. However, a Josh Hazlewood, who finished the first innings with a five-for, went through the top order to restrict England to just 67 - their worst score in the Ashes for 71 years. With the fate of the urn depending on this match, Boycott has ripped into the English side for their lack of application.

England struggled against Hazlewood’s constant pressure with Joe Denly (12) being the only Englishman to get to double figures. Boycott, however, was adamant that the reason for the collapse was more on false short rather than the bowling. 

Boycott wasn’t quite done with the players yet as he singled out Jason Roy and Jos Buttler for their decision making in the longest format of the game. Roy got the worst of it as the English great went on to say that should Roy be picked in the team as an opener again, he should have a brain test.

“Jason Roy, with no footwork, went flashing at a pitched-up ball he did not need to play. I don’t care how many runs he makes second innings. If he plays another Test as an opener then someone wants his brains tested. Roy is brilliant in one-day cricket but I must say again, he does not have the defensive technique to stay in consistently against the new ball and he has not got the mental aptitude for patience and concentration that is required to open the batting,” wrote Boycott.