Ian Botham claims England players wanting to opt out of Ashes tour ‘don’t fancy the ultimate test’
Ian Botham claims England players who are contemplating opting out of the Ashes ‘don’t fancy the ultimate test’, despite Covid concerns: ‘It’s a challenge … I’d already have my bags packed’
- This year’s Ashes series in Australia is in doubt due to England’s Covid concerns
- Joe Root’s side want more questions answered about the quarantine protocols
- Sir Ian Botham has questioned the desire of England stars thinking of opting out
- Michael Holding says the ECB have a ‘western arrogance’ after Pakistan T20 call
England great Ian Botham has questioned the desire of players who are concerned about the strict Covid protocols facing them and their families on this winter’s Ashes tour.
‘It’s the ultimate test and I start to wonder if some of these guys don’t fancy the ultimate test,’ Botham told The Daily Telegraph. ‘To play Test cricket for England is the ultimate and to play against Australia in Australia — and win — is magnificent.
‘I just wish we could put a positive spin on something and my positive spin is: let’s get out there, let’s play what we do best and let’s see if we can beat the best in their own back yard. Because Australia don’t lose very often in their own back yard.
‘I suggest it’s a challenge. If I was in their boots, I’d already have my bags packed.’
Sir Ian Botham has questioned the desire of England players thinking of quitting the Ashes tour
England’s players raised doubts about the Covid protocols of this year’s series in Australia
Meanwhile, Michael Holding has accused the ECB of ‘Western arrogance’ for their decision to cancel the Twenty20 tour of Pakistan this month due to the ‘pressures’ of bubble environments.
The former fast bowler and commentator likened the ECB’s decision to their stance on the Black Lives Matter movement, having decided to take the knee in summer 2020 against the West Indies but ditching it when Pakistan and Australia arrived.
Holding said of the Pakistan tour cancellation: ‘The ECB statement doesn’t wash with me. No substance.
Michael Holding has said the ECB are arrogant for decision to cancel the T20 tour of Pakistan
‘Nobody wants to come forward and face up to anything because they know what they did was wrong. So they hid behind a statement.’
‘It just reminds me of the rubbish they did with Black Lives Matter. What that signal sends to me is the same Western arrogance: I will treat you how I feel like treating you, it doesn’t matter what you think, I’ll just do what I want.’
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
