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LONDON. — England are not as good as they think they are and have a lot of hard work to do to even qualify for the Cricket World Cup quarter-finals, former opening batsman Geoffrey Boycott said yesterday. Eoin Morgan’s side suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand after being bowled out for 123 in Wellington and allowing the hosts to reach their target in 12.2 overs.

“Perhaps they are not as good as they think they are,” Boycott told the BBC.

“I said that about the captain Morgan and everybody went mad, but maybe England aren’t either.”

England lost their last seven wickets for 19 runs and New Zealand seamer Tim Southee became only the fourth bowler to take seven wickets in a World Cup game.

“This was not an uncovered or grassy pitch seaming all over the place,” Boycott said.

The mauling by New Zealand followed a heavy defeat by Australia and England will need to win at least three of their four remaining Pool A games to have a chance of reaching the last eight. — AFP.