Boycott says batting aces key to Ashes outcome

AFP, LONDON: England great Geoffrey Boycott believes the star men in two "wobbly" batting units could decide the fate of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.

England are heading 'Down Under' with a top order where only opener Alastair Cook and captain Joe Root are proven performers at Test level. But Boycott reckons the hosts' batting is as dangerously reliant on opener David Warner and skipper Steve Smith.

“If England are to do well it's vital the two main batsmen, Root and Cook, play well. Absolutely vital,” Boycott said Friday.

“Both sides have wobbly batting units,” the 77-year-old former Yorkshire and England opener added in a conference call with reporters.

As for the bowling Boycott, an Ashes pundit with broadcaster BT Sport, believes Australia have the edge in raw pace over an England attack that will be headed up by the experienced pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

But with injury-prone Australia paceman James Pattinson ruled out of the series before the opening ball of the first Test at Brisbane on November 23, there are doubts over whether the remainder of the home quicks will be able to last the course of a gruelling campaign.

Boycott says batting aces key to Ashes outcome

AFP, LONDON: England great Geoffrey Boycott believes the star men in two wobbly batting units could decide the fate of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. England are heading Down Under with a top order where only opener Alastair Cook and captain Joe Root are proven performers at Test level. But Boycott reckons the hosts batting is as dangerously reliant on opener David Warner and skipper Steve Smith. If England are to do well its vital the two main batsmen, Root and Cook, play well. Absolutely vital, Boycott said Friday. Both sides have wobbly batting units, the 77-year-old former Yorkshire and England opener added in a conference call with reporters. As for the bowling Boycott, an Ashes pundit with broadcaster BT Sport, believes Australia have the edge in raw pace over an England attack that will be headed up by the experienced pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. But with injury-prone Australia paceman James Pattinson ruled out of the series before the opening ball of the first Test at Brisbane on November 23, there are doubts over whether the remainder of the home quicks will be able to last the course of a gruelling campaign.