Tue Jun 24 16:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Boycott Lambasts England’s Smith, Praises Bumrah and Brook in Latest Critique

**Leeds, England** – Former England captain and renowned cricket commentator Geoffrey Boycott has delivered a mixed bag of commentary following the third day of the ongoing test match, showering praise on India’s Jasprit Bumrah and England’s Harry Brook, while sharply criticizing England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Boycott, writing for the Telegraph UK, didn’t hold back when discussing Smith’s dismissal. “Smith at the other end made 40. He hooked a bouncer for a six and then he wanted another one. Missed it. Then he hooked another one and holed out on the boundary. Daft as a brush, that, for me,” Boycott stated, questioning the batsman’s decision-making. This critique comes after the Telegraph themselves described Smith’s dismissal as a “brain fade,” lamenting the loss of momentum.

However, Boycott had nothing but admiration for Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling performance. While the excerpt doesn’t specify his exact words about Bumrah it does mention Boycott’s Yorkshire accent was delightful. He highlighted that Bumrah took a fifer.

England’s Harry Brook also earned Boycott’s approval, despite falling one run short of a century. “He treated his home crowd to some delightful, delicious, majestic strokes. Just over run a ball. Thrilling batting but took the breath away at times,” Boycott commented, acknowledging the entertainment value of Brook’s innings.

Boycott provided a summary of other dismissals. He stated that “Pope out early to a wide shot, just flashed outside and he never made any more runs. Stokes fishing outside offstump. Brook dropped at 82 but didn’t matter. It was costly after that no ball on nought last night and he’s made 99 runs. He got to 99 playing beautifully. Prasidh bounced him and he goes to hook it out the park and holes out to fine leg. Bit of a disappointment really but the 99 runs that came were marvellous.”

The match remains delicately poised, with Boycott uncertain of which team holds the advantage. “Not sure what lies ahead. India batted. They lost the young centurion kid, Jaiswal early out for 4, Sudarshan for 30. But Rahul played the proper, controlled opening batting to 46 before drizzling rain curtailed the day’s cricket. Come back tomorrow. I’m not sure who’s winning this. Good batting from India can set England an awkward target for the fifth Day,” he concluded, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling conclusion.

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