Boycott gives up while Stewart gloves up

Geoffrey Boycott does not think England have it in them to come back into the series.

"I think the England squad is a pretty decent set of lads. When I meet them they are good lads - but stop talking a good game and start performing a good game," said the former England opener.

"It is as simple as that. Don't tell us you will come back - just do it. But at the moment I don't think they are capable of it."

Alec Stewart, who captained England to Australia in 1997-98, is heading out to watch the Perth Test and joked: "I am taking my gear with me!"

Stewart bemoaned England's failings - but he insisted credit must go to Warne for his inspired bowling performance which choked England's batting.

He said: "It's hugely disappointing and that is being polite. After three days England had played really good cricket.

"We competed and out-performed Australia. But, true champions as Australia are, they showed their class on day five.

"Shane Warne strangled the England batting and the rest is history, we just weren't good enough. Shane Warne bowled as we all know he can do. He didn't allow England to play their shots.

"In the past, when I was playing, we were almost frightened to take the attack to Shane Warne.

"What has been so good recently is that they have taken the attack to Warne but in the second innings they didn't do that.

"They didn't take the attacking options that has been England's strength over the last three or four years."

Stewart also has serious concerns over England's ability to take the 20 wickets required to win a Test.

Flintoff and Hoggard have caused Australia problems but Steve Harmison has taken one wicket in two Tests while both Giles and Anderson have struggled.

"It's going to be tough now and I am sure bookmakers are already saying the Ashes are going back to Australia," Stewart added on Five Live.

"This will be England's biggest task ever. We have Collingwood, Pietersen and Ian Bell scoring runs but no-one else.

"And we are not looking like taking 20 wickets. That is my biggest issue. Harmison has improved slightly but he has only taken one wicket in the series."