England collapsed from 65-1 to 88-6 in the second innings. Five wickets for 12 runs. Then four for 11.
Eight-wicket defeat in two days. Series down 1-0.
When talent collides with poor strategy, this is what happens.
The 17-Test Drought
England hasn’t won in Australia since 2010/11. 17 consecutive Tests without a victory on Australian soil.
Geoffrey Boycott, an 85-year-old Ashes winner, delivered a message that cuts deeper than the scoreline: “Use their brains.”
Not more talent. Not better equipment. Not different players.
Brains.
The Talent Paradox
Boycott believes England is more talented than Australia, player for player. The current Australian team is “not unbeatable.”
Yet England keeps collapsing.
Stokes encourages batsmen to “attack, attack” with what Boycott calls “one finger hovering over the self-destruct button.” When Travis Head scored a 69-ball century—the second-fastest in Ashes history—Stokes admitted it “knocked the wind out of us.”
England bowled Australia out for 132 in the first innings. They should have won. Instead, they gifted the match away with reckless batting.
The “Has-Beens” Who Actually Won
When Stokes called past players “has-beens,” Boycott responded with a truth that stings:
“Some of those ‘has-beens’ played in teams that won the Ashes in England and Australia. None of this team have won the Ashes in Australia.”
Winning in hostile territory requires different thinking than dominating at home.
The wisdom isn’t outdated. The approach is.
Strategic Discipline
Boycott isn’t asking England to abandon their style. He’s asking them to read the game.
“Throttle back and be aware of situations and bat accordingly.”
When you’re 65-1 with a 40-run lead? Build it. Don’t throw it away with loose shots.
England heads to the Gabba—where Australia has lost just one of their last 14 pink-ball Tests. Another collapse and the series is effectively over.
Can they recognize when aggression becomes self-sabotage?
The Pattern
Talented teams convinced their approach works everywhere.
Leaders who mistake consistency for stubbornness.
Organizations that won’t adjust until collapse forces them to.
England has the talent to level this series at Brisbane. But talent without strategy is just potential energy—impressive until it meets reality.
The hardest thing to recognize: when your strength becomes your weakness.