Geoffrey Boycott: Don't curb Mohammed Siraj, he's an asset

Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott lavishes praise on Indian pacer; slams England’s top order

Mohammed Siraj could be just seven Tests old, but former England opener and captain Geoffrey Boycott has been left mighty impressed with the Indian pacer.
Siraj claimed an eight-wicket haul to register career-best figures of 8-126 during India’s 151-run win at Lord’s on Monday. Siraj finished with 4-94 in the first innings and then claimed 4-32 on Day Five to dismantle England for 120, chasing 272.   

Boycott felt the Hyderabadi is an asset for Team India and hoped his aggression will not be curbed. “I like Siraj. He is full of energy. No one should tell him to curb anything. Let him flourish in his own way. He’s an asset for India, although he is fairly new,” Boycott told mid-day from the UK on Wednesday.

Siraj had a long stare at Ollie Robinson during the second innings and the reaction has gone viral on social media.   

Geoffrey Boycott. Pic/AFP

“India have got a beautiful attack now. I would like to have Ravichandran Ashwin in the team. Two top-class spinners and three pacers should be my choice of attack,” said Boycott.

The veteran television commentator also praised the bonding in the Indian team. “I liked the way the Indian team rallied around each other. When Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah were batting [during their match-defining 89-run stand], the whole team was shouting from the balcony. They even came down to receive them. These things bring about solidarity,” he said.

“England did not deserve to win. They lost the plot very badly on the last day. It’s a pity that they could not break the partnership between Shami and Bumrah,” he added.

Not one to hold back, Boycott ripped apart England’s batting unit. “I am worried about the English batting line-up. Even my mum could bat better than the top three batters. It’s very sad. Lack of technique is the main reason,” said Boycott in a blunt assessment. 

“I am not saying that England are better than the Indian team. Joe Root’s century took England to a winning position, but we lost the match because of his bad captaincy. They used the bouncer trap in reply to the Indian batsmen, but the Indian bowlers attacked in a very aggressive manner. Ultimately, England had to lose. The poor technique could not rescue them. I am happy that Root has accepted his mistakes,” said Boycott. 

The next Test (August 25) will be held at Boycott’s home city of Leeds. “England will have a lot of homework to do. The Indian middle-order has not clicked. They should take advantage of this. They should know that this is a Test series, not a T20 match. England technically had just eight cricketers because the two openers [Dom Sibley and Rory Burns] and the No. 3 [Haseeb Hameed] are hopeless,” he concluded. 

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