AUS vs NZ: Former England international Geoffrey Boycott praised teenage phenom Harry Brook after his superb century against New Zealand, but feels the cricketer may struggle to hit short balls in the forthcoming Ashes series, which begins on June 16.
Boycott believes that while Brook is the “greatest natural stroke player England has had since Kevin Pietersen,” the Aussie seamers – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood – will target him with the short ball since they have the extra pace to worry the batter.
“I believe the Australians will push him with the short ball this summer. He automatically hooks up, and with their seamers’ added speed and quality, hooking up can be a ‘getting out’ shot. If he can smash it for six every time, that’s wonderful; don’t change, but that’s a lot to ask. He got out hooking to South Africa’s Marco Jansen caught at fine leg in his maiden Test match at the Oval, and Jansen is merely a lively fast medium,” Boycott wrote in his current Telegraph column.
Against New Zealand, he played on hooking Neil Wagner, who has no great pace any more. “Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are faster, and Josh Hazlewood has weird bounce,” the ex-cricketer added.
England’s coaches should take him aside and point up the following: Boycott
The 82-year-old further stated that team management should be pointing this out to Brook and that he should be adequately trained before the crucial Ashes.
“The England coaches should be taking him to one side and pointing this out so that he has time to slightly adapt, making the hook shot less precarious. We’ve all made the error of hitting at the ball and gotten out at some point,” Boycott wrote.
He also gave an example from his own career and suggested ways for the cricketer to develop.
“My most memorable blunder was against the West Indies in 1973 at Lord’s. Keith Boyce was caught at fine leg by Alvin Kallicharran. It’s not enough to hit the ball naturally and make solid contact. Control is essential. Because there are normally two fielders in the outfield waiting to catch you out, you must be very clear about where you anticipate placing the ball. I made that error,” Boycott added.
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