Ian Botham's Aussie assessment gone wrong

English legend Ian Botham agreed to the fact that England has been outclassed and outplayed by a very good Australian side who are playing some scintillating cricket at the moment. Australia have regained the urn already by winning the first three Test matches comprehensively and would like to record wins in the next two as well.

Botham also criticised Steve Smith’s men especially their batting order saying that this was the nation’s worst since the Kerry Packer split 40 years ago. The assessment went completely wrong as Steve Smith’s men were better than England in all departments and the English all-rounder was forced to admit that.

“They’ve beaten us and beaten us comprehensively”

“We have to face up to the fact we were outmuscled and pushed around the park by a very good Australian side.”

“Australia is playing for five-nil but we have to show some heart and spirit and pride and go home with a win or two.”

Botham was highly impressed by an Aussie pace attack which got the better of the English batters every time in this series. However, he expected the English lower order to be much sturdier and steady but at the same time agreed to the fact that the Aussies bowled with an intention and cleaned up the tail thoroughly.

The 62-year-old also told that the England batsmen played some poor shots in the series which led to their downfall.

“They’re excellent. They can make life difficult for sides for some years, as long as they stay fit”

“Australia’s bowlers just hit England and cleaned up their tail-order batsmen and got stuck right into them and didn’t let them settle,”

“There’s been some great deliveries bowled in this series and a few poor shots by England, particularly by the lower order.”

The legend spoke in favour of under-performing captain Joe Root and believed that England are a much better side than they have performed this time around. He stated that all the teams are prone to losing away from home which should not be the case.

“He did nothing wrong”

“Joe Root is only as good as the team he has got. They didn’t perform to their best.”

“They’re a better side than how they performed … it’s the same old, same old. If you’re at home, you win.”

“If you’re away, you lose.”

“Every side is the same. Australia, India, England, they all have this problem.”