India, Dec. 26 -- Harry Brook entered his first Australian Ashes with plenty of expectations on his shoulders, expected to lead the line in England's efforts to win just a second series down under in 40 years, and be a key difference-maker. Instead, Brook has been far too inconsistent, throwing away good starts and averaging just 28 in the first three Test matches as England dropped the series inside three matches.

Brook has been England's second-highest scorer, but the big issue has been with him losing wickets in strange fashions, such as trying to reverse sweep Nathan Lyon on Day 4 in Adelaide after being well-set and being bowled. As a result, he has earned the ire of many a pundit.

Geoffrey Boycott, outspoken as he is, hasn't held ...