Geoffrey Boycott is not feeling optimistic about England 's chances of regaining the Ashes next year following their disappointing innings defeat to South Africa.
England were completely blown away by South Africa's bowling attack as they slumped to an innings defeat inside three days. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje starred for the Proteas with a quality display of express pace bowling as the pair picked up match figures of 7-79 and 6-110 respectively.
And Boycott believes England's struggles against Rabada and Nortje do not bode well ahead of them facing a potent Australia seam attack next year, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all brilliant bowlers capable of reaching speeds over 90mph.
In his latest column for the Telegraph, Boycott wrote: "The way our batsmen dealt with the South Africa pace attack does not augur well for the Ashes next year in England. In the past three Ashes series - one home and two away - Australia's quicks have blown us away.
"So don't tell me we are going to beat Australia next year after we play like that against South Africa at Lord's. I watch people's feet and hands when they face fast bowling. I don't listen to what the coaches or players say.
"Talk is cheap but runs win matches. At the moment when you watch England face fast bowling you don’t want to get up and make a cup of tea or go for a pee because if you do by the time you get back they will be all out.
"There is no substitute for nasty, hostile fast bowling mixed up with the odd throat ball that makes batsmen jump around and gets them outside their comfort zone. It takes courage, good technique and a method to survive.
"Anyone who thinks our batsmen, or any batsmen for that matter, can consistently whack top-class fast bowlers around when they have a new ball in their hand has never played Test cricket and is talking rubbish.
"Trying to attack Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje bowling over 90mph with a new conker when it was zipping around in the first innings was madness. Just staying in would have been tough for most of us batsmen.
"Surely England have to adapt to conditions, the quality of the bowling, or the situation of a match. Hell, this England team are not even a good batting side, yet they expect to smash the best bowlers around."
