'Absolute garbage' - Ian Botham slams England over rotation policy

England’s rotation policy is deemed as one of the biggest reasons behind their ouster in the recently-concluded ICC World Test Championship. As a part of this policy, England rotated several key players including Jos Buttler, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Moeen Ali for important series including the India tour earlier this year. Owing to this, the Three Lions couldn’t field their best XI in many games and suffered defeats.

Notably, England, to qualify for the WTC final, needed to defeat India by at least 3-1 or 2-0 in a four-match Test series earlier this year. Despite the series holding such great significance, the team management maintained their controversial policy and consequently, several key players missed some games. Joe Root’s men went on to lose the series 3-1 and their approach received massive criticism.

Presenting his views on the rotation system, former England all-rounder Ian Botham didn’t mince his words while slamming the team management. The veteran called the policy ‘absolute garbage’ and also said that any cricketer during his playing days wouldn’t have liked to warm the benches when in form.

Ian Botham not in favour of England’s rotation policy

“I am not sure we are picking the right players. Rotation, I think, is the biggest load of b******s of all time. Absolute garbage. I tell you what, I would like to have seen someone say to me when I was playing “well done, but you’re having a rest next game”. Err, no I’m not. Bowl, get fit and stay fit by bowling,” Botham wrote in The Daily Mail.

England’s last assignment in the longest format was a two-match Test series against New Zealand at home which they lost 0-1. Speaking of the same, Botham expressed concerns over England’s fragile batting line-up in Tests. He also said that it was disappointing to see the Three Lions putting up such a dismal show in front of the home crowd.

“I think our batting is a big worry. Last month, England had a great opportunity at Lord’s when they were given the opportunity of a last-day run chase against New Zealand. People had been waiting for months and months to see live sport and to go out and bat like that in the final innings with no intent was appalling,” the former all-rounder added.