Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott has launched a strong criticism of stand-in captain Joe Root following the national team’s defeat during the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. The former England cricketer added that Stokes’ return will provide a major boost to the team ahead of the series decider.
England suffered a comprehensive 253-run defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. The visitors leveled the three-match series at 1-1. Chasing a target of 463, England were bowled out for 209 on the final day after a batting collapse. The home team will look to bounce back in the third Test and secure the series.
Thank Heavens Ben Stokes Is Back – Geoffrey Boycott Criticizes Joe Root’s Captaincy
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the return of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson to the squad. In his latest column for The Telegraph, Geoffrey Boycott praised Joe Root’s batting but questioned his leadership during the second Test defeat to New Zealand.
“Thank heavens Ben Stokes will be back to lead England at Trent Bridge because it appeared Joe Root had learned nothing from his last stint as England captain,”
“Now that Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson have retired from Test match cricket, Root is the undisputed best batsman in the world. What a wonderful thing to be able to say about a smashing lad who everybody likes, including me.”
Seemed To Make The Same Mistakes – Geoffrey Boycott Compares Joe Root and Ben Stokes’ Captaincy
Geoffrey Boycott believes Ben Stokes manages fast bowlers far better than Joe Root. The former England batter said Root repeated some of the same mistakes that affected his earlier captaincy stint, particularly in the way he handled Jofra Archer’s workload.
“Stokes is very good at handling Jofra Archer whereas Joe seemed to make the same mistakes at the Oval as he did when he captained England in New Zealand in 2019.”
“In a Test match at Mount Maunganui, he bowled Archer for 42 overs in an innings which was a lot for any fast bowler but a huge amount for a young bowler new to Test cricket.”
“On top of that, Joe had him bowl a longish spell of short balls. Bowling bouncers demands a huge effort from a fast bowler and it can take a lot out of him. Repeated short stuff can be a recipe for injury to back or arm.”
It Was Madness – Geoffrey Boycott Slams Joe Root’s Handling of Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer returned to England’s playing XI for the second Test after missing the series opener against New Zealand. The fast bowler took two wickets in the first innings and added more wickets in the second innings at The Oval.
However, Geoffrey Boycott criticized Joe Root for asking Archer to bowl a long spell of short-pitched deliveries on the opening day. Boycott argued that England should manage Archer’s workload carefully given his history of elbow injuries.
“Jofra has a special talent with a whippy arm action that generates unusual bounce which, combined with his exceptional pace, is disconcerting to batsmen. Everyone knows he has had more than his share of injury with his bowling elbow.”
“It was madness Joe asking him to bowl an eight-over spell at the end of the first day at The Oval with numerous short balls aimed at the New Zealand batsman Glenn Phillips and the tail-enders.”
“In cricket terms it was not smart and was not looking after your special asset. It was also not the best way to take wickets. The bouncer is best used as a surprise ball in between trying to hit the stumps.”
“The great England fast bowler Brian Statham was a good tail-end wicket-taker and he used to bowl straight, saying, ‘if they miss I hit’.”
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Author: Sai Vaitla
