Geoffrey Boycott slams "pathetic" England

Former England opening batsman Geoffrey Boycott has blasted the current side's batting performance on day two of the first Test in Brisbane as "pathetic".

England's middle order collapsed to the tune of six wickets for just nine runs and Boycott said that it was as much bad batting as good bowling by the Australians.

"It's been decent bowling by Australia, but the batting has been pathetic," Boycott told BBC Sport. "They've played some poor shots. The problem is we've seen it all before. It's very sad to see them almost give away the Test match like this.

"It will take a dramatic performance to bowl Australia out and then produce a batting display with no mistakes. They've just about gifted the match to Australia."

England are 224 runs behind Australia at the end of day two.