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Pom's view: "Stupid" England will never learn from overconfidence
SEN • November 23rd, 2025 1:16 pm
England’s Ashes collapse in Perth was far from the start they would have hoped, however as English great Sir Geoffrey Boycott writes, it’s far from surprising.
In an editorial critiquing the English side off the back of their fall in the first Ashes Test on Saturday, Boycott refused to hold back on the “stupid” side of current day.
From ‘Bazball’, to brainless play and everything in between, Boycott turned his attention to captain Ben Stokes in a damning piece published by The Telegraph in the UK.
Titled 'I cannot take this stupid England team seriously anymore', it's safe to say Boycott was far from pleased with the cricket on display in Perth.
“Before this series started Ben Stokes told the world that any ex-players who criticised England or had a different opinion were “has-beens” because Test cricket had changed and the past was irrelevant,” Boycott wrote.
“Well, from this has-been the message is simple: when you keep throwing away Test matches by doing the same stupid things it is impossible to take you seriously.
“They never learn, because they never listen to anyone outside their own bubble, because they truly believe their own publicity.
“Brainless batting and bowling lost England the match.
“A 40-run lead on a fast, bouncy, low-scoring pitch was huge and, with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope together at one stage, England were in charge at effectively 100 for one. But as exciting as this England team can be, they are always only a blink of an eye away from self-destruction.
“Chasing balls away from your body on fast, bouncy pitches is fraught with danger. It’s like Russian roulette. Save those shots for low, slow surfaces where the odds are in a batsman’s favour.
“When the Aussies get stuck for a wicket all they have to do is go fishing. Dangle the bait and wait for a bite. Our lot can’t resist.
“Bazball, bad judgement, overconfidence, whatever the reason, it makes winning matches difficult. Against top teams like India and Australia it is a huge factor in losing.”
