Geoffrey Boycott praises England batters following their impressive performances in the recently concluded 3rd Ashes Test where the batsman put up an impressive show on chasing 251 runs target successfully in the 2nd inning.
Geoffrey Boycott praises England batters
England batters successfully chased down a target of 251 runs against Australia in their 2nd inning at Headingley. The victory of England in the Third Ashes test brought their Ashes’ hopes alive.
Harry Brook had scored 75 runs out of 93 balls before Chris Woakes and Mark Wood completed a thrilling three-Wicket win over Australia. The victory of the hosts in the Ashes 2023 made Australia lead the series 2-1.
Geoffrey Boycott left impressed by the England batters saying, “No Bazball, no stupid shots. Sensible stroke play.”
“They did much better. Bat more like this today, with brains as well as talent, and they can win again the next Test.”
England was struggling at 171 for 6, needing almost 80 runs target for 251 after Mitchell Starc removed Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow after lunch on the fourth day.
By the entry of Harry Brook was joining middle by Woakes, playing his first Test since March last year.
But with Australia eyeing a win that would have given them the first Ashes series success in England in 22 years, Brook and Woakes shared a stand of 59 that took the hosts to the brink of victory.
The situation was as much a test of Brook’s sometimes fallible temperament as his undeniable talent. But it was one the 24-year-old, in just his 10th Test, passed for the most part.
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell said that Australia is still the “frontrunner” to win the series.
“They are the hunted and this England side like being the hunters,” he told Test Match Special.
“They want to run them down and chase them down. It’s the way they like to perform. There will be a few wobbles for Australia.”
“Moeen Ali was another huge gamble that has had limited pluses. He has been away from the heat of Test cricket for far too long. His spinning finger is a mess because it is not used to bowling lots of overs so splits too easily and becomes raw.
Then it is impossible for him to bowl his best. His batting has always been flaky and looks no better.”
“Jimmy Anderson returns for Ollie Robinson to freshen up the attack at his home ground,” he said. “Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, and Stuart Broad all bowled beautifully at Headingley and have nine days off to rest and be up for the next one. They should be queuing up to have another go at the Aussies.”
Suggestions on the England team for the fourth Ashes Test
Zak Crawley backed by Stokes and Brendon McCullum, hasn’t really been up to the trust and faith on him. He has scored 196 runs at an average of 32.67 with one half-century. England should really look beyond Crawley and bring Dan Lawrence into the side.
On the other hand, Jonny Bairstow had a tough time in the series, scoring only 141 runs at an average of 23.5. As a result, Ben Foakes will be considered as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow. Some people say that Bairstow is the better batter but statistics show that there is not much to differentiate between the two of them.
As Ollie Robinson suffered from a back injury in Leeds, which meant that he could not bowl in Australia’s second innings. Hence, there are doubts over his fitness at this point in time.
James Anderson was not picked for the third game but had a good record at Old Trafford where the fourth Test will be played. He averages 22.03 from 10 appearances at this venue, which is also his home ground.
Hence these changes are suggested to England team for the fourth test. The 4th Test of the Ashes 2023 will be played between July 19 to 23 in Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
