'If England are not playing to win, these are only exhibition matches' - Geoffrey Boycott slams English captain and coach after loss in first Ashes 2023 Test

Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott launched a blistering attack on the present English cricket group, which is being captained by Ben Stokes and mentored by Brendon McCullum, in the midst of the side's setback in the opening game of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston.

Boycott is extremely upset concerning “Bazball," and he perceives it as an entertainment-driven strategy for playing. He felt that this tactic could perhaps diminish the effect of the long-awaited Ashes series, transforming it into nothing more than a simple showcase match over any thriller.

The 82-year-old cricketer's assessment derives from his belief that this season's England side is becoming unduly obsessed with the lure of producing entertaining cricket, harming their chances of winning victories. "England are in danger of reducing the Ashes to an exhibition. England have got carried away with “Bazball” and seem to think entertaining is more important than winning. But England supporters want one thing more than anything else -- to win the Ashes,” Boycott wrote in his column for the Telegraph as being quoted by Hindustan Times.

At the end of the series Australia go home with the Ashes: Geoffrey Boycott

Although it can't be denied that the "Bazeball" tactic has enhanced the game's thrills and entertainment value, former English cricketer thinks it has come at the sacrifice of the more planned strategy deemed required to win against arch-rivals. "Scoring fast runs, whacking lots of fours and sixes is lovely. It is great. But only if England does not lose sight of the big prize which is to beat Australia. If at the end of the series Australia go home with the Ashes, we will feel sick, regardless of how much we have been entertained," he added further.

Meanwhile, Australia pursued a target of 281, and England lost the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston by two wickets. The 9th wicket stands of the duo of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon went undefeated for 55 runs, enabling the visitors to prevail magnificently to take a 1-0 lead against arch-rivals.