[ad_1]
Former England player Geoffrey Boycott thought Ollie Pope was not fit to bat at number three and that it was disappointing. Surrey batsmen’s defense is weak, Boycott said, and they look to score every ball.
Pope was called to bat at No. 3, before last summer, and played decently in the first innings for both Tests. However, the right-hander lost his stumps in the second innings on both occasions, with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Stark breaking through his defenses by ripping deliveries.
In his column for The Telegraph newspaper, Boycott said that Pope should learn to respect good balls and learn a tight defensive technique.
“Olly Pop was a disappointment at No. 3. To me, he seems intent on scoring every ball against the new ball; that is very dangerous.
“By all means, don’t just defend, but be more selective. Against fine bowlers with a fresh ball, you have to accept that they will kick good balls, and you have to be able to defend. His defense is not tight enough.”
While the 108 Test veteran admitted Harry Brook looked like the real deal, he lamented the youngster’s failure to take calculated risks.
“Since arriving in international cricket, Harry Brook has looked like a world-class player, a new star, but he’s just coming out on his own. He’s trying to hit anything and everything.
“That’s an insane batting and a waste of his talent. By all means, stay positive—no one wants him to change up and get defensive—but use your brains, and hit the percentages.”
Brook’s first innings dismissal at Lord’s after 50 drew much criticism as he chipped a short-pitched delivery from Mitchell Stark to cover. He was interrupted, sitting in the stands at the time, his face covered in disappointment.
Geoffrey Boycott, “England’s biggest headaches were Benin Duckett and Josh Tong”
The former Yorkshire player feels Ben Duckett looked like a compact player at Lord’s, given how straight he played:
England’s biggest asset was new boys Ben Duckett and Josh Tongue. Duckett learned quickly after coming out twice at Edgbaston in his favorite area: heading the ball behind the square on the other side.
“At Lord’s he bowled straighter, even left the ball occasionally, and every inch seemed a batsman opening up the sound. His batting was first class.”
Boycott also praised Josh Tong for upsetting the Australian batters with his pace and bounce.
“I loved the tongue rolling his sleeves up and stumbling in. He bowled with fire in his stomach, good pace, his movement, and best of all, he sometimes lifted that unsteady Australia, hitting the batsmen on arms, body, and gloves.”
Duckett scored 98 and 83 at Lord’s, while Tanguy took five wickets, although both tries came in losing form as England found themselves trailing 2–0 with three Tests remaining.
[ad_2]
