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Boycott fears for beaten England | Boycott fears for beaten England |
(10 minutes later) | |
Geoffrey Boycott says England no longer have a chance of retaining the Ashes after their pitiful second-Test defeat. | Geoffrey Boycott says England no longer have a chance of retaining the Ashes after their pitiful second-Test defeat. |
England were bowled out for 129 on the last day in Adelaide to lose the match by six wickets and go 2-0 down in the series with three matches to go. | England were bowled out for 129 on the last day in Adelaide to lose the match by six wickets and go 2-0 down in the series with three matches to go. |
"I personally don't think they can pick themselves up," said Boycott, who is commentating for Test Match Special. | "I personally don't think they can pick themselves up," said Boycott, who is commentating for Test Match Special. |
"Australia are cock-a-hoop, they are in good form and are confident. There's a danger they will bury England." | "Australia are cock-a-hoop, they are in good form and are confident. There's a danger they will bury England." |
Highlights: Second Ashes Test - Day Five Interview: England captain Andrew Flintoff Interview: Australia captain Ricky Ponting | Highlights: Second Ashes Test - Day Five Interview: England captain Andrew Flintoff Interview: Australia captain Ricky Ponting |
Boycott says England are being let down by both their batting and bowling. | Boycott says England are being let down by both their batting and bowling. |
"The batsmen are making too many mistakes," said the former England opener, who hit 22 Test centuries. | "The batsmen are making too many mistakes," said the former England opener, who hit 22 Test centuries. |
"You can't keep depending on Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell. Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones are not making enough runs. | "You can't keep depending on Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell. Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones are not making enough runs. |
I've been involved when we've thrown games away before but not at this level. I think it's ridiculous Andy Caddick | I've been involved when we've thrown games away before but not at this level. I think it's ridiculous Andy Caddick |
"And I don't see how England are going to get 20 wickets." | "And I don't see how England are going to get 20 wickets." |
Boycott said he was fed up hearing how England might bounce back when all evidence pointed to the contrary. | Boycott said he was fed up hearing how England might bounce back when all evidence pointed to the contrary. |
"I think the England squad is a pretty decent set of lads, but stop talking a good game and start performing a good game," he said. | "I think the England squad is a pretty decent set of lads, but stop talking a good game and start performing a good game," he said. |
"It is as simple as that. Don't tell us you will come back, just do it. But at the moment I don't think they are capable of it." | "It is as simple as that. Don't tell us you will come back, just do it. But at the moment I don't think they are capable of it." |
Andy Caddick, the hero the last time England won a Test in Australia, was equally scathing of England's performance in Adelaide. | Andy Caddick, the hero the last time England won a Test in Australia, was equally scathing of England's performance in Adelaide. |
"It's bewildering. I just don't know what's going on," said the long-serving Somerset paceman, who starred in the win in Sydney in January 2003. | "It's bewildering. I just don't know what's going on," said the long-serving Somerset paceman, who starred in the win in Sydney in January 2003. |
"I've been involved when we've thrown games away before but not at this level. I think it's ridiculous. | "I've been involved when we've thrown games away before but not at this level. I think it's ridiculous. |
"They need to sit down and have a good look at themselves and realise they are playing the best side in the world. | "They need to sit down and have a good look at themselves and realise they are playing the best side in the world. |
Is Monty Panesar here or has he gone home? Ian Botham | Is Monty Panesar here or has he gone home? Ian Botham |
"They may have thought they had beaten the best side in the world but now the best side in the world is coming to the forefront. | "They may have thought they had beaten the best side in the world but now the best side in the world is coming to the forefront. |
"It just goes to show you cannot let up. You cannot give the Australians an inch. Unfortunately England gave them a mile." | "It just goes to show you cannot let up. You cannot give the Australians an inch. Unfortunately England gave them a mile." |
Ian Botham said it was perplexing that spinner Monty Panesar continued to be ignored by England. | Ian Botham said it was perplexing that spinner Monty Panesar continued to be ignored by England. |
"I am asking questions. A lot of people are asking questions. Is Monty here or has he gone home?" said England's greatest all-rounder. | "I am asking questions. A lot of people are asking questions. Is Monty here or has he gone home?" said England's greatest all-rounder. |
"I am totally confused. I was confused at the start of the series and I am even more confused now." | "I am totally confused. I was confused at the start of the series and I am even more confused now." |
Panesar's county coach David Capel was also furious the spinner was denied a chance in the second Test. 606: DEBATE Fletcher and Fred need to have a long hard look at their selections and ask themselves some serious questions JT 606: Have your say | Panesar's county coach David Capel was also furious the spinner was denied a chance in the second Test. 606: DEBATE Fletcher and Fred need to have a long hard look at their selections and ask themselves some serious questions JT 606: Have your say |
Panesar took 32 wickets in his first 10 Tests, with two five-wicket hauls, but England opted for Ashley Giles, who has figures of 3-262 in this year's series. | Panesar took 32 wickets in his first 10 Tests, with two five-wicket hauls, but England opted for Ashley Giles, who has figures of 3-262 in this year's series. |
"I feel the British public are being cheated," Northants chief Capel said. | |
"There is amazement, not only on the English side but from the Australian point of view. They can't understand why we're not playing a wicket-taker." | |
Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes coach Duncan Fletcher will face the biggest test of his regime in the build-up to the third Test at Perth. | Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes coach Duncan Fletcher will face the biggest test of his regime in the build-up to the third Test at Perth. |
"He will come under the immense pressure in the next week or so," said Hussain, who worked closely with Fletcher during his time as captain. | "He will come under the immense pressure in the next week or so," said Hussain, who worked closely with Fletcher during his time as captain. |
"His selections have let him down and let England down, in Ashley Giles and Geraint Jones. There have been no runs and no wickets and Giles dropped a crucial catch. | |
"The coach has got to get his thinking cap on and work out how to get 20 wickets. It will be a difficult time for Fletcher and a difficult time for England." |