Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt lashed out at the England team for refusing to learn from their mistakes, claiming them as rigid and arrogant. According to him, England have shown zero smartness while playing against Australia in the ongoing Ashes 2023. After losing the first Test by two wickets, hosts England are also in trouble in the second Test at Lord’s where they were bowled out for 325 in their first innings on Day 3 of the match, losing six wickets for 47 runs as well.
Salman Butt said on his YouTube channel: “When there are fielders in position for short balls, why can’t you just leave some balls? How many bouncers will they [Australia] bowl? For four overs or six overs? Nathan Lyon also got unfit. England showed zero smartness, their rigidness and arrogance is evident. This is not a good sign when you are playing Test cricket.”
READ MORE: Sanjay Manjrekar dissects Virat Kohli’s poor show in WTC Final
Butt continued: “I am saying from day one that England do not have a Plan B. This game is about muscle memory. They have got used to batting in this mode whether they want to bat for a few overs and score runs quickly. Look at what England have done till now. They did not bat for the whole Day 1 of the first Test. Now, they have been bowled out in 76 overs. What is the point of scoring at five runs per over when the opposition has gained a 91-run lead. Now, they are more than 200 runs ahead. From here, Australia can lose the Test only if they commit some blunders or England will have to come up with some extraordinary performances.”
However, Ben Stokes got out for 17 in the first over of the day on Friday, June 30. Harry Brook, who was unbeaten on 45 got out for 50, while Jonny Bairstow perished for 16 as well. Lauding Australia, Butt said that they have shown how one must play according to the situation.
READ MORE: Harbhajan Singh says Australia have the upperhand in the WTC final
“Look at how many bouncers Usman Khawaja has left alone. Look how many balls Steve Smith is leaving. They are playing on their own terms. England, on the other hand, are saying, do whatever you want, we will play this way only. If they lose this Test, it will be difficult to defend Bazball. If they win, it’s a different story,” he concluded.
