Boycott says England`s first Test loss at Gabba different from other defeats in past

Sydney: England legend Geoffrey Boycott has said that England`s first Test loss at the Ashes opener in Gabba is very different from the past situations as the current opposition Australia has more ammunition than the visitors.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Boycott said that England`s current situation does not have much similarities to the time when they lost to `very ordinary` Indian spinners in Ahmedabad last winter or drew with New Zealand in Dunedin despite the side`s `ordinary` seamers. Boycott further said that unlike those two occasions, Australia has more weapons in their arsenal than India or New Zealand had at that time, adding that a genuine fast bowler on flat pitches like Mitchell Johnson is an ace that trumps any card the tourists can play as Johnson can hurt, intimidate players and put the wind up tailenders. Therefore, Boycott advised his former team to come out from the comfortable cocoon of psychologist help tips and a 82-page booklet of special food items and use the heat of battle in Adelaide as a chance to rehabilitate, adding that it is vital that England bats well in both innings, restore their confidence and deal with the Australian pacers. According to Boycott, whatever happens, if England cannot win the match because the pitch is too flat to force a result, they have to make sure that they come out of it with their confidence high, because around the corner is the third Test at fast and bouncy Perth. Boycott also advised captain Alastair Cook to stop being cautious and find a way to finish off Australia in Adelaide, adding that instead of sitting back, being careful and waiting for things to happen, he needs to grasp any chance in Australia with both hands as adversity tests characters of good men.