Before the series, Stokes had publicly dismissed criticism from ex-players, calling them ‘has-beens’ and insisting that modern Test cricket had moved on. In response to England’s collapse, Boycott argued that this attitude had backfired. England had earned a valuable 40-run lead on a quick, low-scoring delivery and were at one point 100 for 1 in their second innings. But within hours they lost nine wickets for 99 runs, allowing Australia to bounce back and eventually chase down 205 in just 28.2 overs.
“Before this series started, Ben Stokes told the world that any ex-player who criticized them or had a different opinion was ‘has-beens’ because Test cricket had changed and the past was irrelevant. The message of this is simple: if you keep throwing away Test matches by doing the same stupid things, it’s impossible to take you seriously. They never learn, because they never listen to anyone outside their own bubble, because they really believe in their own publicity. Now it’s bit them in an Ashes Test, the biggest challenge of all and unless they make a spectacular comeback they will live to regret it for a long time. It’s simple. Mindless batting and bowling lost England the match on a fast bouncy, low-scoring pitch was huge and with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope together at one point England were leading by effectively 100 to one,” he told Telegraph.
Stokes got a good word from Starc: Boycott
England’s batting collapsed in both innings, leading to Boycott’s frustration. In the first innings, despite Harry Brook’s 52 and a cameo from Jamie Smith, England managed only 172. Starc tore through the top with figures of 7 for 58. Australia themselves struggled early and were blown away for 132 when Stokes took 5 for 23 and brought in Archer and Carse. But despite England’s 40-run lead, their batting unit squandered the opportunity to consolidate their grip.
Boycott highlighted moments of poor judgment, including that of Ollie Pope chasing a wide delivery for the second time in the match and gifting his wicket. He also noted Harry Brook’s flashing at a wide ball to fall for a duck, Joe Root attempting an unnecessary drive only to be bowled, and Stokes’ own dismissal to Starc.
“But no matter how exciting this England team can be, they are always an instant away from self-destruction. Duckett got a good ball, but Pope gave it away for the second time in this match as he drove to a very wide ball outside off stump. How can he not realize that it is a sucker ball tempting him to do something crazy? England were still in a great position and were crying out for someone to occupy the crease with common sense. Enter Harry Brook. Three balls and he flashes up at a wide ball And to make matters worse, England’s best batsman, Joe Root, couldn’t stop himself from executing an extravagant drive off Mitchell Starc, with his hands going far away from his body added.
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