Boycott 'cross' at England's heavy defeat to India

Former England opening batsman Geoffrey Boycott says he is ‘cross’ after watching Alastair Cook’s lose their Test series to India following a heavy defeat by an innings-and-36-runs on the fourth day of the fourth Test in Mumbai.

Resuming on 182-6 - still 49 behind - England's final four wickets fell in 48 balls, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking 6-55 for match figures of 12-167.

It is only the third time a Test side have made 400 or more in their first innings and then lost by an innings.

“I’m cross,” said Boycott.

“I’m not the selector, I’m not the manager, I’m not the coach, I wouldn’t have got us in this position if I had been manager.

“I wouldn’t have picked some of the players they’ve picked, I wouldn’t have picked some of the teams they’ve picked but I can only give you my opinion.

“It’s not my fault England are 3-0 down, I can’t pick Stuart Broad because he’s a fine bowler or Chris Woakes because he’s had the best year of his life,” he added.

India, 3-0 up with one match to play, have now won five consecutive series.

For England, a fourth defeat in five matches is their seventh of the year - their 12-month worst of eight losses could be equalled in the fifth and final Test, which begins in Chennai on Friday.

This clip is from Test Match Special, Monday 12 December 2016.

Show less