Australia's batting collapse was pathetic and embarrassing: Geoffrey Boycott

Birmingham, July 31 - England cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott has said Australia’s batting collapse on the second day of the third Ashes Test was both "pathetic" and "embarrassing".

Australia reached 168 for seven on Thursday as right-arm pacer Steven Finn bagged five wickets despite left-handed opening batsman David Warner's fighting 77. In the first innings too, the Australian batsmen struggled, bowled out for a meagre 136.

"They are novices at playing the moving ball," Boycott was quoted as saying by bbc.co.uk on Thursday night. "It was an embarrassing day for Australia. Their batting was as pathetic as it was in the first innings," the former captain added.

He also said Australia captain Michael Clarke is "under the cosh" and "lucky to be averaging 18". Clarke edged one delivery from Finn to slip for three in the second innings and has scored just 94 runs in six innings in this Ashes.

Boycott also put Australia's bowling under the scanner, heavily criticising left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc.

Starc took nine wickets in the first two Tests of this series but was largely ineffective in taking 2-71 in England's innings at Edgbaston.

"He had no discipline or direction. It was wild and wayward and down the leg side," Boycott, who scored 8114 runs from 108 Tests, said.

He, however lauded the efforts of Finn, who bagged figures of 5-45, saying he "bowled some really good balls".

 (IANS)