He claimed that England’s lack of basic discipline and refusal to adapt to Australian conditions were the main reasons for their downfall. The 85-year-old called for a complete overhaul of the team’s top management ahead of England’s next Test assignment in June. Boycott directly criticized head coach Brendon McCullum, general manager Rob Key and captain Ben Stokes, holding them responsible for England’s Ashes failure.
“England’s three wise men turned out to be the three accomplices. Brendon McCullum, Rob Key and Ben Stokes have been selling a lie for three years. No one tells them anything, there is no accountability and no one is dropped, so they just keep doing the same crazy things. Why should the players change, adapt or improve if the coach and captain are okay with it?” Boycott wrote in The Telegraph.
Boycott described McCullum as a leader who has failed to evolve beyond the high-risk gambling mentality. He argued that the England and Wales Cricket Board should force the current leadership group to listen to former greats who understand what it takes to win in Australian conditions. Boycott specifically urged Key to bring in legends such as Ian Botham, Graham Gooch and David Gower to provide experience, insight and a much-needed new perspective.
“But he is a gambler who thinks he will always win his money back. That’s how casinos always win in the end… They don’t know when to stop or change their routine. This kind of free license to do whatever you want without consequences is holding England back. To get to the next level, we need a different discipline and structure,” Boycott wrote.
Get every cricket update! Follow us:
#Ashes #Englands #wise #men #turned #henchmen #Boycott #slams #top #management #loss