England cricket legend Sir Geoffrey Boycott has offered some advice to Ben Stokes after his ‘disrespectful’ remarks ahead of the Ashes tour Down Under. England are looking to bounce back from their crushing eight-wicket defeat inside just two days at Perth in the opening Test match.

England must now head to Brisbane for a day-night encounter that’s already being billed as crucial for England’s hopes. The Gabba hasn’t witnessed a touring side triumph in an Ashes showdown since way back in 1986, when England prevailed under Mike Gatting’s leadership.

England’s choice to take part in just one three-day practice match against the England Lions prior to the Ashes opener drew criticism from numerous ex-players – among them Ian Botham, Michael Vaughan and Graham Gooch.

This prompted Stokes to brand his critics as ‘has-beens’ – remarks the England skipper has subsequently expressed regret over. “Everyone knows it was a slip of the tongue,” Stokes said, via BBC Sport. “I got the words I said there completely wrong. I think everyone knows that.

“‘Has-beens’ is a horrible word. It’s the only thing that managed to come out of my mouth in that moment. I’m going to be one of those one day. It’s a complete wrong wording, and I think everyone does know that it’s not at all what I meant by that.”

Boycott, who amassed over 8,000 Test runs for England before pursuing his broadcasting career as a television and radio analyst and commentator, has responded to Stokes’s pre-series observations.

“A piece of advice to Stokes about his ‘has-beens’ remark when referring to ex-players,” Boycott told The Telegraph. “Ben is right that today’s cricket is different, but he forgets that cricket has always evolved.

“In 30 or 50 years’ time, there will be new innovations which, at the moment, we cannot envisage. But that doesn’t mean some things in the past are not still relevant today.

“That’s why people in Asia respect their elders for the knowledge they have gained and from that knowledge, they can give wise counsel to a discussion. If you are prepared to listen to the ex-players, there may be some things that the modern player can use in the modern format.

“You don’t have to agree with everything the past great players say but as Richie Benaud once said to me; ‘You can learn something every day’. Being stubborn can be a virtue, but if you are so intractable you never listen – and it is your way or the highway – then there is bound to be a fall.

“To call past players ‘has-beens’ was disrespectful especially as some of those ‘has-beens’ played in teams that won the Ashes in England and Australia. I’m glad that Ben has half apologised, saying it was a slip of the tongue, because none of this team have won the Ashes in Australia.

“Get the job done, because then you don’t need to say anything and you can bask in all the glory coming your way.”

Boycott went on to defend the criticism being directed at the England team following their defeat in Perth in the first Test.

“When a team lose so badly in Perth from a winning position, there is bound to be huge criticism from the media,” Boycott said. “The response from England has been to close ranks with a siege mentality that everyone is against them. That is not true.

“We don’t enjoy watching you embarrass yourselves and lose. We want England to win. Ex-players, TV, radio and journalists can’t say good things about bad cricket. It is just not possible.

“Being forthright and honest about what we see is not a choice. That is what is expected of us.”

The second Test of the Ashes is set to commence on Thursday, with Stokes and England still to confirm their team for the day-night clash in Brisbane.