10 July 2023 , 15:44
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England need to drop three men for the fourth Ashes Test with Jonny Bairstow among them according to Sir Geoffrey Boycott.
The hosts kept the series alive with a three wicket win within four days at Headingley. Australia were a game away from retaining the Ashes, but success in Leeds means it is all to play for at Old Trafford in just over a week, but there is a call for changes.
Brendon McCullum bought in several new faces for the third test with the likes of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes more than justifying their selection. Some though could face the chop and Boycott believes Bairstow, Ollie Robinson and Moeen Ali should all come out of the team.
Bairstow has struggled for runs whilst his wicket keeping too has come in for criticism with Ben Foakes seen as an ideal replacement. Boycott wrote in the Telegraph: "When Jonny is at his best he is a better plus for England than Ben Foakes. But at the moment he is dropping things and not moving properly. So sorry, take him out of the pressure cooker. He can come back later but he has got to get himself right. When he is picked ahead of Foakes, his keeping has to be safe and he has to score runs. He is not doing either."
The Yorkshire batsman only scored 17 across his two innings at Headingley and, prior to that, was involved in the most controversial dismissal of the series.
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Ali is another man who hasn't been able to make an impact having been away from the test arena before being tempted back. He was pushed up the order in the last test but failed to produce at No 3 whilst his bowling has not been up to scratch, taking just five wickets across the two games he's played.
Jonny Bairstow has struggled for runs so far (Popperfoto via Getty Images)Boycott claimed: "Moeen Ali was another huge gamble that has had limited pluses. He has been away from the heat of Test cricket for far too long. His spinning finger is a mess because it is not used to bowling lots of overs so splits too easily and becomes raw. Then it is impossible for him to bowl his best. His batting has always been flaky and looks no better."
The England great also wants to see James Anderson back in the team for the test on his home ground. He has tipped Robinson to come out of the bowling attack with Wood, Woakes and Stuart Broad to remain after the trio enjoyed success against the Aussies' top order.
"Jimmy Anderson returns for Ollie Robinson to freshen up the attack at his home ground," he said. "Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad all bowled beautifully at Headingley and have nine days off to rest and be up for the next one. They should be queuing up to have another go at the Aussies."