The Ashes campaign has begun on a disastrous note for England, with a swift eight-wicket loss in the first Test against Australia. Veteran commentator and former skipper Sir Geoffrey Boycott did not mince words, unleashing a scathing critique of the team’s repeated ‘stupid mistakes.’ England’s batting order crumbled within two days, a performance that left Boycott questioning the players’ game awareness. ‘If you keep losing Test matches by doing the same daft things, then we can’t take you seriously,’ he wrote, highlighting key dismissals like Ollie Pope’s. Boycott felt the team’s momentum shifted alarmingly quickly, allowing Australia to seize control. He described the collapse as happening ‘in the time it takes to make a cup of tea.’ Furthermore, Boycott criticized the bowling unit for getting ‘sucked into’ ineffective tactics, particularly relying on a continuous stream of bouncers once Australia gained the upper hand through aggressive batting. This loss signals a worrying return to old habits for the English side.
