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Boycott Slams England's 'Siege Mentality' After Ashes Loss

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  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, February 22nd 2026 at 16:27 GMT by The West Australian
      Locales: AUSTRALIA, UNITED KINGDOM

London, England - February 22nd, 2026 - Cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott has delivered a blistering critique of the current England Ashes squad, accusing them of fostering a debilitating "siege mentality" and shirking individual responsibility for their series loss to Australia. The comments, made to the Daily Telegraph, represent the latest in a growing chorus of concern regarding the team's attitude and performance in the wake of the disappointing result down under.

Boycott, a former England captain and one of the nation's most celebrated batsmen, argues that the team's immediate response to criticism has been characterized by defensiveness rather than constructive self-analysis. He believes this reactive posture is actively hindering their ability to learn from their mistakes and improve as a collective. While acknowledging the inherent pressure of international cricket, Boycott asserts that a refusal to accept accountability is a critical flaw.

"They have developed a siege mentality and it's not a good look," Boycott stated. "They're on the defensive, and being defensive is not a good way to learn. Accountability is important. They need to understand what went wrong and what they can do better." He specifically rejected the tendency to deflect blame onto external factors, such as pitch conditions, weather, or umpiring decisions. "They can't just blame the pitch, the weather or the umpires. They need to accept responsibility."

This criticism goes beyond simply acknowledging errors in play. Boycott emphasizes the importance of individual accountability within the team structure. He laments what he perceives as an overreliance on a "team mentality" as a shield against personal scrutiny. "They can't all hide behind a team mentality. They need to be accountable individually. They need to look themselves in the mirror and ask: 'Could I have done better?'" He contrasts this with his own captaincy style, where he willingly took ownership of both successes and failures, creating a culture of responsibility within the squad.

Boycott's assessment centers on a perceived lack of maturity within the England ranks. He believes the current players are overly sensitive to criticism and lack the resilience needed to thrive at the highest level of the game. This inability to handle scrutiny, he suggests, is a significant barrier to progress. "The current England players are constantly on the defensive and can't handle the criticism. They are not mature enough."

This isn't simply a nostalgic lament for a bygone era. Boycott's critique taps into a wider debate about the modern culture of professional sport, where protecting players from criticism is often prioritized over fostering a growth mindset. While acknowledging the pressures faced by athletes, Boycott argues that shielding them from honest assessment ultimately does them - and the team - a disservice.

The Ashes series itself was not without its controversies. Reports surfaced throughout the tour regarding off-field behavior and perceived disciplinary issues within the England camp, contributing to the narrative of a team struggling to maintain focus and professionalism. Boycott's comments serve to amplify those concerns, suggesting that the issues extend beyond mere cricketing performance.

The fallout from the Ashes defeat has already prompted calls for significant changes within the England setup. Several pundits and former players have echoed Boycott's concerns, demanding a thorough review of the team's culture and approach. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to announce a detailed investigation in the coming weeks, focusing on both on-field performance and off-field conduct.

England's immediate focus now shifts to a Test series against New Zealand next month. This series presents an opportunity for the team to rebuild and demonstrate that they have taken the necessary lessons from their Ashes defeat. However, Boycott warns that a mere change in results won't be enough. "I'm not saying that England can't win the next Ashes series, but they need to change their attitude," he said. "They need to learn to accept criticism and use it to improve. They need to be more accountable. They need to be more mature."

The coming months will be crucial for the future of England cricket. Whether the team can heed Boycott's harsh but potentially invaluable advice remains to be seen. The pressure is on for a genuine shift in mindset and a commitment to individual and collective responsibility if they hope to reclaim the Ashes in the future.