India, Dec. 1 -- England's defeat in Perth has not just reopened the Ashes debate; it has triggered a public pushback from one of their greatest ever openers. Sir Geoffrey Boycott has hit out at Ben Stokes' side for retreating into a siege mentality after the heavy loss, insisting former players do not enjoy watching this England team embarrass themselves.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Boycott argued that the reaction from within the dressing room has been to close ranks rather than confront uncomfortable truths. "When a team loses so badly in Perth from a winning position, there is bound to be huge criticism from the media," he wrote, before taking aim at the idea that everyone is out to get Stokes' England.

According to Boy...