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

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.