'Unbearable' Geoffrey Boycott attacked over Ashes punditry by ECB executive Clare Connor

[MenInG]

A leading ECB executive made a highly disparaging comment on social media on Tuesday about top pundit Geoffrey Boycott's views from the Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Clare Connor, director of England women's cricket and a former England captain, listening to BBC's Test Match Special, didn't mince her words when she tweeted: 'God, the arrogant, all-knowing opinions of Boycott are bordering on unbearable this morning.'

The post was later deleted by Connor — whose partner is ECB technical director Andy Flower — after it was pointed out to the ruling body what she had said about Boycott when TMS are the ECB's long-time radio rights holders.

An ECB spokesman said that in hindsight Clare felt that her tweet had been an error and made in haste.
Boycott had been his usual highly opinionated self on TMS, reminding the England batsmen to dig in and preserve their wickets like he used to do.
And he hadn't been patronising in the least when sharing the mic with Alison Mitchell.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cr...ed-Ashes-punditry-ECB-exec.html#ixzz50Vfmb5ML

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Losing does bring in the worst out of you and the folks supporting the team ......

 

[Markhor]

Yes the commentators should just do non-stop propaganda for England. Usual rubbish from an ECB director who should be more worried about the rubbish being served on the pitch than what's being said on commentary.

Boycott said this morning "Australia's bowling is better than England's so its tougher. But you knew that before we came here. And if you didn't you're an idiot."

This isn't hindsight, fact is every man and their dog knew England were asking for trouble when they picked 4 line and length, fast medium bowlers for these true, hard Australian pitches. None of the bowlers can consistent operate at above 140kph. Only Broad has a good record in Australia.

Everyone could see James Vince's recall was not merited after a mediocre County season and that he lacks the temperament for Test cricket. People have been saying Bairstow is wasted at 7 for the last two years. So let's stop acting all surprised at these defeats in an Ashes campaign that's going the way of these Brexit negotiations.

 

[shaz619]

Yes the commentators should just do non-stop propaganda for England. Usual rubbish from an ECB director who should be more worried about the rubbish being served on the pitch than what's being said on commentary.

Boycott said this morning "Australia's bowling is better than England's so its tougher. But you knew that before we came here. And if you didn't you're an idiot."

This isn't hindsight, fact is every man and their dog knew England were asking for trouble when they picked 4 line and length, fast medium bowlers for these true, hard Australian pitches. None of the bowlers can consistent operate at above 140kph. Only Broad has a good record in Australia.

Everyone could see James Vince's recall was not merited after a mediocre County season and that he lacks the temperament for Test cricket. People have been saying Bairstow is wasted at 7 for the last two years. So let's stop acting all surprised at these defeats in an Ashes campaign that's going the way of these Brexit negotiations.

Are you not surprised that Overton top scored in England's first innings? or that just one batsman managed more then 40 runs in the second innings. We need to stop making excuses for these bunch of cowards, maybe defeat is inevitable; but to just show up in AUS with your pants back in England is a bit surprising don't you think?

 

[babajee]

Pakpassion.net could have done a better job than ECB selectors for this series.

 

[Bewal Express]

The reality is that they didnt have many options, do England have quality fast bowlers out there, and the answer is no.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Pathetic comments by Connor, underscoring the fact that the blazers remain obliviously blinkered to reality. England well on course to lose 5-0.

Boycott has his demons and is prone to the awkward gaffe here and there but for a chap of 77 to continue to provide such acerbic insight is quite remarkable. I think he has been great value for BT and adds a refreshing change to listening to the likes of Lloyd and Botham on television.

 

[The_Odd_One]

I found Boycott's assessment of English team pretty accurate.

 

[Savak]

It begs the question as to whether England were right to scapegoat Kevin Pietersen for the 2013-14 ashes failure. They are getting whitewashed again, so what is the difference really?

 

[Saj]

Seems like some Boards and officials just want commentators to be cheerleaders. Currently Boycott is one of only a few commentators who I actually listen to.

 

[Lefthanded]

Maybe Connor should find England's performances and selections unbearable instead.

We 'all-knew' that James Vince who can't even score runs in county cricket, shouldn't be a #3 in the hardest place to tour.

And somehow Boycott is arrogant and all-knowing for stating the obvious.

 

[Hasan123]

England have bigger problems to worry about than criticising Boycotts commentary. Whoever selected this squad for the series sbould be getting the stick instead of Boycott.

 

[kingusama92]

Boycott has been fantastic all series.

Doesn't hold back at all and rightly so in most cases.

 

[Boi]

England have bigger problems to worry about than criticising Boycotts commentary. Whoever selected this squad for the series sbould be getting the stick instead of Boycott.

Don't think there's better alternatives around in county cricket either. Something Boycott pointed out himself. There's a lack of genuine Test quality batting and fast bowling talent in the county circuit so whoever they had selected would've performed just as poorly imo.

 

[giri26]

Boycott has always been like that and his commentary is never sugar coated.

 

[Hasan123]

Don't think there's better alternatives around in county cricket either. Something Boycott pointed out himself. There's a lack of genuine Test quality batting and fast bowling talent in the county circuit so whoever they had selected would've performed just as poorly imo.

Better of trying other players than sticking with Balance,Vince,and Malan.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Boycott
Lawry
Fazeer
Bishop

The only four that I listen to, the rest I just mute them regardless!

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

In the past England has relied on a steady supply of batsmen from South Africa and there would be at least one in the team. However, after Pieterson's departure England has relied on homegrown talent that simply is not good enough at the international level except maybe for Root.

Cook needs to find form quickly other wise it is looking quite ominous for England right now and the danger of losing the series 5-0.

 

[Savitar]

Ask Harsh Bhogle. At least, they didn't sack him from commentating.

 

[Abdullah719]

In the past England has relied on a steady supply of batsmen from South Africa and there would be at least one in the team. However, after Pieterson's departure England has relied on homegrown talent that simply is not good enough at the international level except maybe for Root.

Cook needs to find form quickly other wise it is looking quite ominous for England right now and the danger of losing the series 5-0.

This doesn't seem like a very sound long-term strategy.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

This doesn't seem like a very sound long-term strategy.

But in the past they were able to get players from SA willing to represent England. Now it appears it is getting difficult to do with the rule changes and all.

 

[Varun]

Pity she doesn't find the actual batting and bowling performances unbearable. If England actually set their eyes on that they might stop getting whitewashed 0-5 for once.

 

[Bilal7]

Will she lose her job over this? Pretty disrespectful comments aimed towards a great of the game.

 

[Boi]

Better of trying other players than sticking with Balance,Vince,and Malan.

Like who though? Ben Duckett lol? Tom Westley was tried over the summer and turned out to be disappointing. Haseeb Hameed could've been picked but he had a dreadful FC season. Unfortunately there just seems to be a lack of good options for England atm.

Foakes should be given the gloves and Bairstow freed up to be played as batsmen only instead of Vince/Malan. That's the only realistic option they have rn that could possibly make a difference because Ballance isn't doing anything out in Australia.

 

[Hasan123]

Like who though? Ben Duckett lol? Tom Westley was tried over the summer and turned out to be disappointing. Haseeb Hameed could've been picked but he had a dreadful FC season. Unfortunately there just seems to be a lack of good options for England atm.

Foakes should be given the gloves and Bairstow freed up to be played as batsmen only instead of Vince/Malan. That's the only realistic option they have rn that could possibly make a difference because Ballance isn't doing anything out in Australia.

Haseeb Hameed was an opition. He should have been selected ahead of Malan or Vince.

 

[the Great Khan]

who were the best batting performers in county cricket this year? I heard Samit patel had a good season..who else?

 

[Varun]

Haseeb Hameed was an opition. He should have been selected ahead of Malan or Vince.

Why was he dropped? He performed well in India IIRC. There was another opener in that tour - Keaton Jennings, even he is nowhere to be seen.

England have cycled through tons and tons of openers over the last few years, much like Australia did with spinners after Warne and before they found Lyon.

 

[babajee]

Why was he dropped? He performed well in India IIRC. There was another opener in that tour - Keaton Jennings, even he is nowhere to be seen.

England have cycled through tons and tons of openers over the last few years, much like Australia did with spinners after Warne and before they found Lyon.

He couldn’t buy a run in domestics so they dropped him, just like Renshaw was dropped by Australia.

 

[Hasan123]

Why was he dropped? He performed well in India IIRC. There was another opener in that tour - Keaton Jennings, even he is nowhere to be seen.

England have cycled through tons and tons of openers over the last few years, much like Australia did with spinners after Warne and before they found Lyon.

Due to poor county form. Hopefully he scores at the start of the county season and is back in contention for series against Pakistan.

 

[Lefthanded]

Why was he dropped? He performed well in India IIRC. There was another opener in that tour - Keaton Jennings, even he is nowhere to be seen.

England have cycled through tons and tons of openers over the last few years, much like Australia did with spinners after Warne and before they found Lyon.

From what I heard on commentary/podcasts, the management loved Haseeb, but after that broken finger he couldn't score a run even in division 2 cricket. There was talk of recalling him for the Ashes anyway, but with his form and young age, throwing him in Australia could do more harm to him.

I don't see Stoneman and Vince scoring enough runs to justify playing against Pakistan, but the latter was selected based on the myth that his style of play is suitable in Australia.

One of them fails now, Haseeb starts scoring, and he'll be playing the first over against Amir next summer. Unless Vince plays a few pretty cover drives a Test and averages over 25.

 

[Saj]

Some Boards should just employ robots or puppets to commentate and not employ people who actually have an opinion and are actually prepared to criticise players and the Board.

 

[Sin Nombre]

ECB is learning from ACB and BCCI in wanting cheerleaders as commentators.

I can't think of one decent one from the latter lot and ECB wants to do the same with the English group.

 

[07sanjeewakaru]

To me,Geofrey Boycott and Ian Chappel are the only commentators give there absolute view with straight spine.Boycott is always like that[With my momma could bat with stick of rubhub etc..].
Actually like his way of commentary and analysis than fan based band wagging...

 

[James]

Boycott has had the same effect on people throughout his life - whether as a commentator, a player, a skipper, whether it’s in the Yorkshire or the England dressing room, or in his personal life. He is a forceful character and a lone wolf who does not care what anybody thinks about him. He sharply divides opinion and a lot of people in the game dislike him.

This is the man who was deemed unsuitable to captain because he was too socially rude, it’s the old pro that got voted off the decision-making committee of his own county cricket board because everybody hated him, it’s the batsman who used to deliberately run out his partners if he was not enjoying playing with them.

I personally am a big fan but then I have the Yorkshireman bias. So Clare Connor is just the latest in a long line of people (and sadly for Geoff’s people skills, many of these have been women) who he rubs up the wrong way.

 

[Robert]

In the past England has relied on a steady supply of batsmen from South Africa and there would be at least one in the team. However, after Pieterson's departure England has relied on homegrown talent that simply is not good enough at the international level except maybe for Root.

Cook needs to find form quickly other wise it is looking quite ominous for England right now and the danger of losing the series 5-0.

There are plenty of Saffers they could pick. The problem is a general slump in quality in the CC at the moment. No Tres, no Strauss, no Vaughan, no Collingwood, no Thorpe.

England could immediately strengthen the batting by putting Bairstow at #5 and bringing Foakes in behind the sticks, though. I would drop Cook to #3 as well - this may be the best way to get more runs out of his final three years.

 

[Saj]

Give ECB Ramiz Raja - he will make them happy. Kiss their feet etc.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I loved playing at Abbeydale Park. I only know of the ‘76 match I missed Yorks v WI as I was flat on boards at my Mum’s house for 2 weeks with back trouble which I originally hurt in 1968 v Aus at Edgbaston. 9 Tests v WI in 1980 and 1981 for England<br>Do they not count for Engel? <a href="https://t.co/pS6BaKR6E8">https://t.co/pS6BaKR6E8</a></p>— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffreyBoycott/status/939922619406671872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some people on twitter think because no one can identify their real name or <br>address they can be nasty or rude and abuse me. I will answer any sensible or pertinent tweet on cricket as best I can but please if you just want to be nasty or don’t like me then don’t bother. <a href="https://t.co/L8Iot8e5uJ">https://t.co/L8Iot8e5uJ</a></p>— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffreyBoycott/status/939923803811074049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am who I am, I’ve made mistakes and I do try to learn from them despite what people might say. But bringing up my past and trying to make out I harp on about it simply isn’t true and it’s a cheap shot to make an article off the back of degrading me. <a href="https://t.co/L8Iot8e5uJ">https://t.co/L8Iot8e5uJ</a></p>— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffreyBoycott/status/939924350756642818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And finally... thank you to all who have seen this article for what it is. A cheap shot at someone just trying to do their job. Find some new subject matter Engel and forget about that ‘bond’ we have. <a href="https://t.co/L8Iot8e5uJ">https://t.co/L8Iot8e5uJ</a></p>— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffreyBoycott/status/939925622066991113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

I believe Matthew Engel will not be receiving an Xmas card this year from GB...

 

[Saj]

Give ECB Ramiz Raja - he will make them happy. Kiss their feet etc.

Together with Sunil Gavaskar and a couple more of the Board cheerleaders.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

There are plenty of Saffers they could pick. The problem is a general slump in quality in the CC at the moment. No Tres, no Strauss, no Vaughan, no Collingwood, no Thorpe.

England could immediately strengthen the batting by putting Bairstow at #5 and bringing Foakes in behind the sticks, though. I would drop Cook to #3 as well - this may be the best way to get more runs out of his final three years.

TBH even with Saffers in the team, the Poms haven't done all that well down under. It is just so difficult to perform in those conditions. Just ask Pakistan....

No matter how many changes you make and who you bring, it is not going to make a difference. The best England can hope for is to draw a test or two.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Apology accepted, can this be the end of it now. <a href="https://t.co/Ye9HYiQ6RW">https://t.co/Ye9HYiQ6RW</a></p>— Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffreyBoycott/status/940756521029455872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Some scathing stuff from GB today

"County cricket won't change because a lot of counties are in debt, all the chairmen just vote for anything that wont keep them out of debt - simple"

 

[the Great Khan]

cant really see any real talent coming from county cricket until they start tapping the wider community and look to take cricket to the streets!!

 

[Saj]

Geoffrey Boycott when asked this morning if Alex Hales should be in Australia for the Ashes.

"Why, he'd only be there for the nightclubs"

 

[finalfantasy7]

cant really see any real talent coming from county cricket until they start tapping the wider community and look to take cricket to the streets!!

They won't. They will steal from South Africa, new Zealand, Zimbabwe like usual

 

[leatherface58]

Boycott is way more entertaining on the mic than he has ever been in his playing career. He should stay put.