Boycott Criticizes England’s Performance in T20 World Cup
Former cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has criticized the England cricket team for their performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies. Boycott, 83, expressed his disappointment with England’s campaign in the Caribbean, where they performed poorly.
IPL Enriching Average Players
In addition to his critique of the T20 World Cup performance, Boycott pointed out that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has contributed to making England’s “moderate to average” Test players wealthy. He emphasized this in his column for The Telegraph, stating, “All we have had over the last few months is the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean, where England performed poorly, the Indian Premier League, which helped a few of our moderate to average Test players get rich.”
Recalling the Test Series Defeat in India
Boycott also reflected on England’s dismal 4-1 Test series loss in India. He noted that while England started well by winning the opening Test in Hyderabad, they were ultimately overwhelmed, losing the remaining four matches convincingly. “In India last winter, ego and hubris got the better of some of our players. They came out with comments about being entertainers and how it was important to score quickly and thrill the crowds. All that is laudable but they should never lose sight that there is a winner and a loser and losing isn’t much fun,” Boycott commented.
Warning Against Complacency
Boycott went further, warning that if players start to believe that results don’t matter, they might as well join a circus. He said, “Test match cricket is not an exhibition. If our players start to think that results don’t matter then they might as well join a circus or go around the world like the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team doing tricks, laughing and joking, and not bothering who wins so long as everyone has a fun time.”
England’s Recent Test Performance
England last won a Test series in December 2022 against Pakistan away from home. Since then, they have drawn series against New Zealand (1-1), Australia (2-2 at home), and faced a heavy defeat by India earlier in 2024. Boycott’s harsh words reflect the frustrations of many fans and former players regarding England’s inconsistent performances on the international stage.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)