England’s Ashes journey has started in the worst possible way, and Sir Geoffrey Boycott is far from impressed. Following an eight-wicket defeat in the opening Test in Perth, where England collapsed inside two days, the former England captain launched into a fierce tirade against the team’s repeated failures. Boycott expressed his utter disbelief at the persistent, ‘stupid mistakes’ that cost England the match, questioning the players’ ability to learn and adapt. He pointed to crucial batting errors, specifically mentioning Ollie Pope’s decision to drive at wide deliveries. ‘How can he not realise it is a sucker ball tempting him to do something daft?’ Boycott questioned. He observed that the team’s momentum evaporated almost instantly, allowing Australia to dominate. The former skipper also lamented the bowlers’ predictable approach, suggesting they were ‘sucked into’ bowling ineffective plans, particularly against an in-form Travis Head. This defeat, Boycott argues, is a stark reminder of England’s ongoing tactical shortcomings.
