The Albany Gazette - Boycott urges England to 'use their brains' in quest to level Ashes

England fell 1-0 down in the five-match series following a humiliating eight-wicket loss to Australia inside two days in last month's first Test in Perth.

Batting collapses cost England dear as the tourists lost five wickets for 12 runs in their first innings and four for 11 in their second.

Former England opener Boycott insisted Stokes's men could win at Brisbane's Gabba ground with a more measured approach.

"But it doesn't help our chances of success if Ben Stokes keeps encouraging our batsmen to attack, attack with one finger hovering over the self-destruct button," Boycott wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

"Nobody is asking the players to stop being positive because they have given us some marvellous, thrilling and entertaining cricket. All we ask is for them to use their brains and realise there are times when they should throttle back and be aware of situations and bat accordingly."

Boycott, 85, an Ashes winner in both England and Australia, also addressed Stokes's apology for a "slip of the tongue" after the all-rounder responded to criticism from former players of the team's limited pre-series preparations by referring to "has-beens".

"To call past players 'has-beens' was disrespectful especially as some of those 'has-beens' played in teams that won the Ashes in England and Australia," said Boycott.

"I am glad Ben has half apologised, saying it was a slip of the tongue, because none of this team have won the Ashes in Australia. Get the job done, because then you don't need to say anything and you can bask in all the glory coming your way."

The second Test, a day/night match, starts on Thursday with England looking for a first win in 17 Tests in Australia, a run stretching back to their triumphant 2010/11 tour.

(O.Robinson--TAG)