‘Australians will challenge him with the short ball’ - Geoffrey Boycott points Harry Brook’s potential weakness in Tests

Former England international Geoffrey Boycott has lauded young sensation Harry Brook after his terrific century against New Zealand but believes that the cricketer might struggle to play the short balls in the upcoming Ashes, which is slated to begin on June 16.

Boycott labelled Brook as the "best natural stroke player England have had since Kevin Pietersen" but believes that the Aussie seamers - Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood - will target him with the short ball as they have got the extra pace to trouble the batter.

“I feel this summer the Australians will challenge him with the short ball. He instinctively hooks up and with the extra pace and quality in their seamers hooking up can be a 'getting out' shot. If he can hit it for six every time then great, don't change, but that is expecting a lot. He got out hooking in his first Test match at the Oval, to South Africa's Marco Jansen caught at fine leg and Jansen is only lively fast medium,” Boycott wrote in his latest column for The Telegraph.

“Against New Zealand he played on hooking Neil Wagner, who has no great pace any more. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are faster and even Josh Hazlewood gets awkward bounce,” the former cricketer added.

England coaches should be taking him to one side and pointing this out: Boycott

The 82-year-old also added that the team management should be pointing this out to Brook and need to train him well enough before the all-important Ashes. 

“The England coaches should be taking him to one side and pointing this out so that he has time to slightly adjust, making the hook shot less precarious. We have all at some time or other made the mistake of hitting at the ball and getting out," wrote Boycott.

He also cited an example of his own career and stated how the cricketer can improve.

My famous mistake was in 1973 at Lord's against the West Indies. I got out to Keith Boyce caught at fine leg by Alvin Kallicharran. Just instinctively hitting at the ball and making good contact isn't good enough. Control is the key. You have to be absolutely clear where you are expecting to place the ball because there are usually two fielders in the outfield waiting to catch you out. I made that mistake,” Boycott added.