Geoffrey Boycott warns Sam Robson about `huge question mark` over his international future

Johannesburg: Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has told opener Sam Robson that there is a huge question mark against the Australia-born batsman`s international future.

Boycott said that Robson needs to become more secure outside off stump while England as a whole has to improve their batting against the short ball if they want to cope with Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson during next year`s Ashes. While hailing England`s terrific performance in coming from 1-0 down in their ongoing five-Test series with India to lead 2-1 after crushing the tourists by an innings and 54 runs in just three days in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Boycott said that there were areas that they need to improve, Sport24 reported. Having seen Robson bowled for six shouldering arms at Old Trafford, Boycott, who was one of England`s greatest opening batsmen, said that there is a huge question mark over Robson, adding that the batsman`s judgment on what to play and what to leave around off stump is suspect. Boycott said that Robson gets out caught in the slip cordon or playing no stroke, and added the better the new ball bowler, the more balls he would put in the corridor of uncertainty at pace. He added that that means off stump and three to four inches outside off stump on a full length, which is a danger area to all batsmen early in their innings. Boycott said that ones judgement, technique and footwork have to be spot on especially against a moving, swinging new ball, as any flaw will be exposed. He added that Robson has been found wanting too often this summer. But, Boycott said that the selectors have already named the same squad for the Oval, where the fifth and final Test against India starts on Friday, so Robson would get another chance. He added that Robson made a century at Headingley against Sri Lanka and that innings alone has kept him in the team. Boycott said that the Headingley century saved Robson`s bacon. Without that hundred in the bank Robson would have gone by now, he added.