Cricket

‘Brisbane was a horror show’: Geoffrey Boycott slams England after another Ashes defeat

Published

5 months ago

December 8, 2025

Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has unleashed a scathing critique of England’s performance in the ongoing Ashes 2025–26 after the visitors slumped to a crushing eight-wicket defeat in the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Australia extended their dominance in the series with the win, taking a commanding 2–0 lead. England, who were outplayed in all departments, have now lost both Tests inside four days—a worrying sign for a team that arrived with bold claims and a renewed “Bazball” approach.

Australia outclass England in Brisbane

The second Test, played from December 4, highlighted the growing gulf between the two sides. Australia’s disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and composed batting stood in stark contrast to England’s repeated lapses in judgment.

England faltered with:

Reckless batting choices
Erratic bowling lengths
Multiple dropped catches
Poor shot selection under pressure

The result left the touring side searching for answers as criticism poured in from former cricketers and analysts.

Boycott blasts England: “They talk the talk but can’t walk the walk”

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Geoffrey Boycott did not hold back while assessing England’s woes. He described the team’s performance in Brisbane as nothing short of a “horror show.”
“Brisbane was a horror show: irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full, and catches dropped. This Australian team was there to be beaten, but somehow, after just six days of Ashes cricket, England need a miracle,” wrote Boycott.

He further questioned England’s pre-series buildup, where captain Ben Stokes insisted the team had been planning for this Ashes tour for four years.
“Ben Stokes said England had a blueprint. They had been planning this tour for four years and know what they are doing. What a load of bulls—. We can’t believe anything Ben or his team say.”

“They couldn’t win an egg cup” — Boycott continues his criticism

Boycott’s criticism went beyond tactics. He accused the England squad of arrogance and complacency, suggesting that the so-called “Bazball revolution” has led to overconfidence rather than consistent performance.
“England talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. With this sort of batting and bowling, they couldn’t win an egg cup, let alone the Ashes urn,” he lashed out.

“Nobody tells them off” — Boycott on Stokes’ leadership

The former England opener also questioned Ben Stokes’ captaincy, stating that the players operate without accountability, which explains repeated batting failures.
“One of the problems with this squad is it appears nobody tells them off or sits them down and discusses what they could or should have done differently. All we ever hear from the captain is attack, and from the coach, keep the faith.”

He added that England’s players have been deluded into thinking only their approach suits modern Test cricket.
“They are up their own backsides convinced that Test cricket has changed so much that only they know anything about the modern game.”

Where does England go from here?

With Australia holding the momentum and England’s confidence clearly shaken, the visitors face an uphill battle in the remaining Tests. A 2–0 deficit in Australia has historically been extremely difficult—almost impossible—to reverse.

England now need:

Major tactical adjustments
Better discipline with ball and bat
Stronger leadership choices
A more balanced approach to “Bazball,” blending aggression with strategy

The third Test will now be a crucial turning point—either England revive their Ashes hopes or suffer another chapter in Australia’s long-standing dominance at home.

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Cricket

IND vs CHN AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Quarterfinal: India Eye Historic FIFA World Cup Qualification

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

India women’s national under-17 football team stand on the brink of history as they prepare to face China women’s national under-17 football team in the quarterfinals of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup on Monday, May 11.

A victory in the knockout clash would secure India’s first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification on merit at any level in women’s football.

India One Win Away from Historic FIFA World Cup Spot

India previously participated in:

the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup
the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

However, both appearances came as tournament hosts.

This time, the Young Tigresses have a chance to qualify through performance — a milestone achievement for Indian football.

Coached by Pamela Conti, India advanced to the knockout stage after finishing third in their group and qualifying as the second-best third-placed side.

India’s crucial victory against Lebanon women’s national under-17 football team in the final group-stage match sealed their qualification.

Meanwhile, China have looked dominant throughout the tournament:

Defeated Myanmar 6-0
Beat Vietnam 3-0
Thrashed Thailand 6-0

The Chinese side finished top of Group A without conceding a goal.

Pamela Conti Praises Team’s Achievement

She added:

IND vs CHN AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Quarterfinal: Match Details

When is the India vs China AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup quarterfinal?

The match will be played on Monday, May 11, 2026.

What time does the match start?

Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM IST.

Where is the match being played?

The quarterfinal will take place at:
Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium

IND vs CHN Live Streaming Details

Where to watch India vs China AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup on TV in India?

The match will not be telecast on television in India.

Where to watch India vs China AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup online in India?

Fans can watch the match live on the official AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel.

Why This Match Is Historic for India

This quarterfinal is one of the biggest matches in Indian women’s youth football history.

A win against China would:

Send India into the semifinals
Secure qualification for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup
Mark India’s first-ever football World Cup qualification on merit in women’s football

Cricket

Tim David Shows Alleged Middle-Finger Gesture After Royal Challengers Bengaluru Beat Mumbai Indians in Thriller

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dramatic last-ball victory over Mumbai Indians in Raipur, but the post-match celebrations quickly turned controversial after a viral video appeared to show Tim David making an alleged middle-finger gesture.

The footage, widely circulated on social media shortly after the game, captured the Australian batter reacting emotionally moments after RCB sealed the tense win. While the context behind the gesture remains unclear, the clip has triggered widespread debate online among fans and cricket followers.

Emotional Night for Tim David Against Former Team

The match carried added significance for Tim David, who previously spent three seasons with Mumbai Indians before being picked up by RCB during the IPL 2025 auction.

However, his outing against his former franchise did not go as planned.

David was dismissed for a golden duck during the high-pressure chase, adding to the tension of an already dramatic encounter. The viral video surfaced soon after RCB completed the chase, with many social media users speculating that frustration and adrenaline may have contributed to his reaction.

As of now, neither the player nor the franchise has issued an official statement regarding the incident.

RCB Pull Off Stunning Last-Ball Victory

The match itself turned into one of the most thrilling finishes of the IPL 2026 season.

Chasing a competitive target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed 15 runs in the final over. The momentum initially appeared to favour Mumbai after the dismissal of Romario Shepherd, leaving RCB under immense pressure.

With wickets falling regularly and the lower order exposed, Mumbai seemed poised to close out the match.

But the game swung dramatically in the final moments.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Changes the Match

Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar played a decisive role in the closing stages.

Under pressure, Bhuvneshwar smashed a crucial six that shifted momentum back in Bengaluru’s favour. Moments later, Rasikh Salam Dar finished the chase on the final delivery to seal a memorable two-wicket win.

The dramatic finish sent RCB supporters into celebration and pushed the franchise to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.

Player of the Match Performance

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.

His performance included:

Four wickets with the ball
A vital six during the tense final over

The experienced fast bowler’s composure proved crucial in one of the season’s most pressure-filled matches.

Mumbai Indians Eliminated From Playoff Race

The defeat officially ended Mumbai Indians’s hopes of qualifying for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

The five-time champions struggled for consistency throughout the season, with concerns emerging around:

bowling depth
middle-order stability
finishing ability

Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav also endured another disappointing outing, registering a golden duck against RCB.

Cricket analysts now expect Mumbai to reassess their squad strategy ahead of the next season, particularly in the bowling department.

Viral Moment Dominates Social Media

While RCB’s dramatic victory became one of the biggest talking points of the day, Tim David’s viral gesture has added another layer of controversy to an already emotionally charged encounter.

Whether the incident leads to any official review or disciplinary action remains to be seen.

For now, the clip continues to dominate cricket discussions online as fans react to both the thrilling finish and the heated emotions that followed.

Cricket

Varun Chakaravarthy Seen on Crutches Ahead of KKR vs RCB Clash, Availability in Doubt

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2026

Nivaan Joshi

Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was spotted walking with crutches and wearing leg braces ahead of the team’s crucial IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13, raising serious concerns over his fitness and availability.

The visuals quickly went viral among fans, especially given the importance of the upcoming fixture in the playoff race.

Injury Concern After Delhi Capitals Match

The mystery spinner reportedly sustained the injury during KKR’s previous game against Delhi Capitals. Despite visible discomfort, Varun showed remarkable determination by completing his full quota of four overs.

He returned figures of:

4 overs
28 runs conceded

However, after his spell, he struggled while leaving the field and was eventually substituted out using the IPL’s Impact Player rule, with Finn Allen coming in as his replacement.

KKR Still Alive in Playoff Race

KKR went on to secure an important eight-wicket victory against Delhi Capitals, keeping their playoff hopes alive in a tightly contested season.

But Varun’s injury has now become one of the biggest talking points for the franchise ahead of their high-voltage encounter against RCB.

Ajinkya Rahane Had Earlier Downplayed Concerns

Following the win, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane attempted to ease concerns regarding the spinner’s condition.

However, the latest visuals of Varun on crutches suggest the injury may be more serious than initially believed.

Doubt Over Availability Against RCB

As things stand, KKR have not issued an official medical update. The team management is expected to closely monitor the spinner’s recovery over the next couple of days before taking a final call on his participation.

Given his importance to KKR’s bowling attack, any absence would be a massive blow. Varun has been one of the team’s key wicket-taking options this season, particularly in middle overs.

Possible Replacement Plans

There is also growing discussion around Matheesha Pathirana, who is reportedly nearing full recovery.

KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo recently hinted that the Sri Lankan pacer is close to returning, though no confirmed timeline has been provided.

Interestingly, despite receiving fitness clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket, Pathirana has not yet featured regularly, suggesting KKR may be managing his workload carefully.

If Varun is ruled out, KKR could consider reshuffling the balance of the side, with Pathirana potentially coming in for Rovman Powell to strengthen the bowling department.

Big Blow Before High-Stakes Clash

The upcoming KKR vs RCB match carries enormous playoff implications, making Varun’s fitness situation even more significant.

With both teams fighting for momentum in the final phase of the league stage, KKR will hope their lead spinner recovers in time for what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the season.